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All Rights Reserved. 



A HISTORY 



TONG, SHROPSHIRE, 



Church, Manor, Parish, College, 
Early Owners, and Clergy, 



NOTES ON BOSCOBEL, 

BY 

GEORGE GRIFFITHS, 

OF weston-under-lizard. 

ILLLJ ST RAT ED. 

BY 

Edmund H. New, Gertrude M. Bradley, and 
Charles W. S. Dixon, 



Secant) 1E\>itwn, toitf) ^tjtjitions. 



NEWPORT, MARKET DRAYTON, AND STONE: 
HORNE & Bennion, "Advertiser" Offices. 

LONDON : 
SiMPKiN, Marshall, Hamilton, Kent, & Co., Ltd. 

mdcccxciv. 






Religion never was designed 
To make our pleasures less." 

Watts. 



" No entertainment is so cheap as reading, nor any pleasure so lasting." 

Lady Manj Wortlcy Montague. \\ 



•' The knights are dust, 
Their swords are rust, 
Their souls are with the saints we trust." 



The Church was old and grey, with ivy clinging to the walls, and round 
the porch. It was a very quiet place, as such a place should be, save for 
the cawing of the rooks, who had built their nests among the branches of 
some tall old trees. 

" Let us wair here," rejoined Nell, " the gate is open. We will sit in the 
church porch till you come back." 

" A good place, too," said the schoolmaster, placing his portmanteau on 
the stone seat. 

It was a very aged, ghostly place. The church had been built many 
hundreds of years ago, and had once had a convent or monastery attached ; 
for arches in ruins, remains of oriel windows, and fragments of blackened 
walls were yet standing. They admired everything — the old, grey porch, 
the muUioned windows, the venerable gravestones dotting the green church- 
yard, the ancient tower, the very weathercock, the brown thatched roofs of 
cottage, barn, and homestead, peeping from among the trees ; the stream 
that rippled by the distant watermill, the blue Welch mountains far away 

Dickens'' Old Guriosity Shop. 






li^^v 



©^ts Motk 10 (iratefullg Engcri&eDi anir 
©etJicatelJ to 

%kt (Earl ani) Cr0tint^j6f0 oi §xnMoxb, 

an iiiz 

jFiftirt]^ ^nni&ergarg of t|^eit iPlartiafle, 

april 30ttr, 1894. 

18g tf)e author. 



VI. 

PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION. 
WITH ADDITIONS. 

The thousand copies which comprised the first edition of 
my work on Tong, its Parish Church, and early history, 
having been exhausted, and the demand for the book by 
antiquarians and visitors aHke continuing, I am persuaded to 
launch this second and enlarged edition with much con- 
fidence and hope of public approval. 

The numerous illustrations and additional subjects will, I 
imagine, increase its general interest and usefulness. 

These latter embrace : — 

The Hengist Tradition. 

Some account of the Earl of Bradford's family and ancestry. 

Notes upon the Restoration of the Church, Slabs found, the Stanley 
Tomb, &c., and numerous revisions throughout. 

An account of Tong College and its quaint rules. 

A document recording the Perambulation of the Boundary of the 
Lordship or Manor and Parish of Tong in 1718, with local notes upon 
perambulations, millers, maypoles, the tithe pig, marlpits, Tong 
tournament, factory, and clockmakers, surnames, &c. 

Memoranda of the Durant family. 

Tong Church Registers, and a Proclamation found in the parish 
chest as to Gunpowder Plot. 

Some account of the famous Ladies of Tong, viz. : Venetia Lady 
Digby, Lady Mary Wortley Montague, Mrs. Fitzherbert, Isabella 
Forester, Lady Stafford, and Dorothy Vernon. 

Some account of Boscobel, which is just outside Tong parish, and 
particularly of the Royal Oak, the shelter of King Charles II ; the 
faithful Penderels of Hubbal Grange in Tong. The Nunneries of 
White Ladies and Black Ladies, immediately on the outskirts. 

Early Deeds of the Pemburges, Vernons, and Stanleys, forming a 
portion of this edition, are of interest to antiquarians, and will help, 
when time permits a fuller examination, to throw more light upon the 
ancient history of Tong. 

I desire to record my grateful thanks to the Earl and 
Countess of Bradford for their kind and approving letters 
written on the publication of the first edition. I must 
also mention the valuable help rendered me by Mr. Walter 
de Gray Birch, F.R.S.L,, of the British Museum, and by MS. 
Notes of the Rev. R. G. Lawrence, a former Vicar of Tong. 

To others, whose names are mentioned throughout the 
work, I am desirous to express my obligations for their 
courtesy. 

GEORGE GRIFFITHS. 
Weston-under-L izard, 

30th Apnl, 1894. 



Vll. 



PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION. 



This little book has been printed in the hope that it may be useful in 
refreshing the memories of those visitors to Tong Church who are already 
in some degree acquainted with its ancient and historic associations ; while 
to the many tourists from neighbouring towns who resort to the village, 
it may be not only a " guide " to the building, but a reminder of a pleasant 
holiday. 

The compiler is not unconscious of the importance and delicacy of such 
a task as the description of Tong Church, but hastens to defend its publica- 
tion as supplying the great want of a handy comprehensive guide to a 
much-visited edifice. 

He has endeavoured to introduce, where possible, comments upon its 
rich contents by abler hands, completing the remainder with an ordinary 
notice of things as they are to be seen at present. He hopes that neither 
such simple language — nor indeed the existence of conflicting opinions 
upon matters of remote date — -will be allowed to detract from the lustre 
pertaining to the objects themselves. 

He has to express his thanks to those strangers and friends who have 
favoured him with interesting notes. 

GEO. GRIFFITHS. 

Weston Bank, Shifnal, 
1885. 



Letter from the Earl op Bradford. 

Weston, Shifnal, Feby. 6, 1885. 

My Dear Sir, — Let me thank you very much for the book you have sent me on Tong 
Church. I think it is very nicely got up, besides the merits of its contents as a guide to 
Tong Church and Parish. 

I have looked through it, and it appears to me to be full of correct information, 
given in a popular way. I hope it may prove successful, and will certainly recommend 
my friends to buy it. 

Yrs. very faithfully, 

(Signed) Bradford. 



Letter From the Countess of Bradford. 

Weston Park, Shifnal, Sept. 6, 1885. 

Dear Sir,— I am quite delighted with your book, and accept it with much pleasure. I 
have read a great part of it, and shall study it one day in the Church of Tong. I cannot 
but think it is a book that will make its mark in the County. I want a copy at once to 
give away to a friend, and I doubtless shall want several more. With thanks and con- 
gratulations on its success. 

Believe me. 

Yours truly, 

(Signed) Sblina L. Bkadfokd. 




SmoKi 



.^,„^m 






ILLUSTRATIONS. 



Plate On 
Page^ 

Charles I Frontispiece 

Tong Church and Vicarage viii 

Plan of District ^ 

Plan of Church ^ 

Reference toJEffigies « 

Plan of Village s"' 

Thong Castle and Merlin 6 

Tone Church from the East, p. 20 ") ^o 

Stanley Tomb, p. 65 > 

East window, 3 Screens, and Pulpit 26 

Seal of Isabella the Foundress, p. 214... 

Font, Tong Church, p. 27 

White Ladies Abbey Ruins and Gate- 
house, p. 194 

Sir F. dePembruge IV. Tomb, p. 30 

Sir Richard Vernon Tomb, p. 37 \ 30 

Sir Harry Vernon Tomb, p. 47 

Brass to Sir W. Vernon 42 

Sir Harry Vernon's Tong Castle 5° 

Brass to Sir A. Vernon 53 

Sir Arthur Vernon EfBgy, p. 54 

The King's Champion, p. 6i 

King Charles II. and the Penderels and 
Yates, p. i8o 

Tong Church— Choir-Stalls, p. 74 ^ 

Richard and Margaret Vernon Tomb, V- 74 

P 57 J 

Duke of Kingston Deed 82 

Crystal Ciborium 83 

Brass to W. SkeflSngton 84 

Brass to Lady Daunsey 86 

Tong Castle, as at present 90 

Vestry Door ; 95 

Brass to Ralph Elcock 96 



Plate OH 
Page. 
Great Bell of Tong, and G. Boden. ) ,„, 
Clerk ;"' 

Great Bell of Tong 103 

Sir Thomas More 114 

Tong College 12a 

The Watchman 129 

Forge Hammer from a Coin found in\ 
Tong Church during the Restora- I 
tion, p. 142 [ ^ 

Tong Upper Forge Waterfall, p. 142. ... j 

Hubba! Grange, p 204 14a 

Convent Lodge, Entrance to Tong Castle 156 

Dove-house, p. 11 and 160 ") 

Tong Church from the West, and Alms- [-160 
house ruins, p. 160 J 

Lady Mary W. Montague, p. 166.., 

Venetia, Lady Digby, p. 171 

Dorothy Vernon, p. 177 

Richard Penderell, p. 180 , 

Charles II.. p. 183 

"Mrs." Jane Lane, p. 182 

Lady Mary, the toast of the Kit-cat Club 167 

Mrs. Fitzherbert i6g 

The Royal Oak, photograph in 1894 1 

Black Ladies, p. 206 jf '^ 

The Royal Oak, trunk as at present 184 

Boscobel and the Royal Oak, copy of a 

photograph in 1879 185 

The Royal Oak, with brick wall, p. 187 \ 

Tong Golden Chapel Roof, p. 53 I g- 

William Penderell, p. 179 r*"/ 

Sir Kenelm Digby, p 173 / 

White Ladies— slabs, \ 

White Ladies— from the S. E. Corner !• 200 
of Ruins j 

White Ladies as a Cart Shed, Tiles, \ 
North Doorway, Dame Joan I 
Penderill's Tomb f'°' 

White Ladies— hinge / 

Plan of Stanley Tomb, Tong 336 



166 




PLAN OF DISTRICT 



CountyBoundary 
Parish „ 
Main Roads 
i-mile Circle 



XI. 



A Concise Reference to ye Effigies. 



VOTICE that ye little number placed against Tach illustrious name refer$ 

the indtistrious reader alike to ye Plan of ye Church, and ye 

Bodye of ye Boke. 



From ye Harcourts of the Blood Royale of Saxony, ye famous De Belmeis 
familie, and La Zouches descended of ye Dukes of Brittany : came Orabel 
de Harcourt married to Henry de Pembruge of Pembridge, Co. Hereford ; 
" my faithful! and beloved Henry," as His Majesty described him : from 
whom in very direct descent — 
. I 



SirTho := Elizabeth de Lingen= 



Ludlow 



daughter & heire to 
Sir Raffe Lingen of 
Wigmore. She 
built ye Church*. 
12 

I 



=Sir Fulke de 

Pembruge 

12 



Juliana de=Rich: de 



Pembruge 
sister and 
heire. 



Vernon, 
from tke 
Vernons off 
Normandie 



Benedicta de Ludlow=Sir Richard de Vernon, ye Speaker of Lei'ster 
13 I 13 Parliament, 1426. 



Sir Will: Vernon= Margaret (Swynfen), heiress of Sir 
14 I 14 Rob : Pype and Spernor. 



Sir Harry Vemon= 
15 
Governor & Treasurer to Arthur, 
Prince of Wales, elder brother 
to King Henry VIII., a very 
worthie Prince. 



To ye Ladye Anne Talbot, granddaughter 
15 to ye Great Earl Talbot. 



Margaret (Dymock)=Richard 



17 

dau: of Sir Robert 
Dymock, ye King's 
champion. 



Vernon, 
Esq. 17 



Humphrey=Alice de Ludlow, Arthur 
Vernon, 1 8 Vernon, 

Esq. 18 co-heire of her Pryst 
grandfather Sir 1 6 
Richd: de Ludlow. 



Sir George Vemon,'.buried'at Bakewell, leaving two lovely 
I daughters co-heires, 



Margaret Vernon=At Haddon, to Sir Tho: 
19 I Stanley, son to ye Earle 

of Derbie 19 



Dorothy=Sir John Manners, 
from whom His 
Grace of Rutland. 



Sir Edw: Stanley=Ye Lady Lucie Percie, daughter to ye Duke of 
1 9 I Northumberland. 



From whom the beautiful Venetia, Lady Digby, and others. 



Xll. 



"♦/Hirv. 




PLAN OF VILLAGE. 



5^fl|<Jc,M:tiC^|-#^-^.#:;. 'L^.Hi 






■u"!^ 



TONG — Early History. 




T 



HE early history of Tong, from the time of 
the Conquest till the time of the erection 
of the present church, about 141 1, has been 
given in the most complete manner possible 
by Mr. Eyton in his Antiquities of Shrops/iirp, a 
work so scarce and expensive as to be generally 
inaccessible. 

I have therefore extracted from it his prelim- 
inary remarks on the place, which form a char- 
acteristic preface : — 

" Tong was for centuries the abode or 

heritage of me:i great for their wisdom or their 

virtues, eminent either from their prosperity or 

their misfortune. The retrospect of their annals 

alternates between the Palace and the Feudal Castle, between 

the Halls of Westminster and the Council Chamber of Princes, 

between the Battlefield, the Dungeon, and the Grave. The 

history of the Lords of the Manor is in part the biography of 

Princes and Prelates, Earls and Barons, Statesmen, Generals, 

and Jurists. These are the great names and reminiscences 

with which the place is associated : The Saxon Earls of Alercia, 

• — brave, patient, and most unfortunate victims of inexorable 

' progress ; then their three Norman successors — one wise and 

j politic, another chivalrous and benevolent, the last madly 

ambitious and monstrously cruel : then the Majesty of England 



2 . Early History, 

represented by Henrj^ I., a Prince who in ability for ruling 
almost equalled his father, and has been surpassed by none of 
his successors ; then the sumptuous and vicereti^al pride of De 
Belmeis — Bishop, General, Statesman, and withal very Prince; 
his collateral heirs with their various and wide-spread interests, 
dim in the distance of time, but traceable to a common origin ; 
the adventurous genius and loyal faith of Brittany represented 
in La Zouch ; tales of the oscillating favouritism and murder- 
ous treachery of King John ; overweening ambition and saddest 
misfortune chronicled in the name of De Braose ; a Harcourt 
miscalculating the signs of his times, and ruined by the error ; 
a race of Pembrugges, whose rapid succession tells of youth 
and hope and the early grave ; then the open-handed and 
magnificent Vernons ; lastly Stanley, a name truly English, 
and ever honourable in English ears, yet for one of whom it 
was fated to add a last flower to the chaplet of ancestral 
memories — to cut short the associations which five centuries 
had grouped around his fair inheritance." 



Jf^l^lHE name of the village has been variously spelt. The 
^'(^i most familiar is Tong, by some attributed to the sound 
or " Tong " of a large deep, full-toned bell ; Tonge, as 
it was generally'spelt in the last century and previously ; and 
Tuange, Twange, Tuang, Toang, the sound of a smaller " tang- 
ing" bell. The working classes call it " Tung," and the sur- 
names of Tong and Tonge are met with among inhabitants 
in the neighbouring town of Shifnal. 

On the other hand it is said that Tong or Thong was in 
ancient times the stronghold of Hengist the Saxon, and that 
the name is derivable from a tradition connected with him, to 
the effect that the British King who had hired him and hi? 



Eaki.y History. \ 

followers to fight, in consideration of their success granted to 
Hengist as much land as an ox-hide would encompass ; that 
thereupon he cut the hide into thongs as narrow as possible, 
and upon the land thus encircled formed a settlement for him' 
self and followers. 

The earliest record, or rather tale, relating to Tong, is con- 
nected with Hengist, and is to be found in " The Chronicles 
of Merry England," of which a translation is given below. 
Of the state of the country it may be briefly noted 
that the withdrawal of the Romans to look after their 
own affairs nearer home, left some parts of Britain 
destitute of armed soldiers, of martial stores, and of all 
its active youth ; but generally the country was divided 
into districts under provincial Governors. The attacks of 
Picts and Scots led to confederations, headed some by British, 
some by Roman chiefs, which caused civil strife. This, with 
a religious discussion (arising out of a dispute between the 
native bishops and Pelagius, a native of \^''^ales), plunged the 
country into confusion. Application was then made to the 
Roman General for aid, but in vain. At this juncture, 
Vortigern, the most powerful of British chiefs, employed 
mercenaries to aid in fighting his battles. The old Chronicle 
may now be left to speak for itself.- " Now a little before the 
Hallelujah Victory there had been great strife among the 
Britons, whether one Aurelius, or his brother Uther, surnamed 
Pendragon, should reign over them, which a warrior named 
Vortigern, taking advantage of, he made himself king in their 
stead, and the two brethren fled into Cornwall. Vortigern, 
finding his crown red-hot to him by reason of the dis-affection 
of his subjects, and the fears he had of his enemies, resolved 
to strengthen himself by alliance with the Anglo-Saxons. A 
detachment of these enemies of his country in their war-galley 
had just landetl in Kent, headed by two brothers called 
Hengist and Horsa. To them applied this unwortliy king, 



4 Early History. 

with messages of peace, desirinj^ them to repair to his 
presence. Forthwith they comply, and stand before the king. 
Like most of the Anglo-Saxon race these men were tall, well- 
built and comely, of undaunted yet frank and pleasing" aspect, 
blue-eyed, fresh coloured, and with pale, brown hair, divided 
down the centre, and diffusing itself over their shoulders. 
King Vortigern havin<e; surveyed them from head to foot, in- 
quired of them (what he knew well enough) whence they 
came, and with what object. Hengist being the mercury of 
the twain made answer, according to the Monmouth liook, as 
follows: — "Most noble King! Saxony was the place of our 
birth, and our object in coming hither was to offer our ser- 
vices to you, or any other Prince in want of them. It is a 
custom among us, that when our country is over-populated 
we should cast lots to decide which of our young and valiant 
men shall seek their fortunes somewhere else ; and the lot 
having lately fallen upon us — you see us in your presence," 
King Vortigern, regarding them earnestly, asked what gods 
they worshipped, he himself being professedly, though not 
much in practice, a Christian. " We worship our country's 
gods," says Hengist, " the chief of whom are Woden and 
Friga." Then said Vortigern, " I regret your ungodliness, 
but am glad of your coming, for I am just now oppressed 
with enemies on every side, and if you will aid me in putting 
them down, I will entertain you honourably, and bestow upon 
you lands and other distinctions." Hengist and Horsa could 
not fail of being satisfied with this arrangement ; and an army 
of Picts presently breaking in upon the country from the 
North, they went forth with Vortigern against them, and 
enabled him to gain a complete victory. Hengist now 
thought he might advance a little on his demands ; and 
although Vortigern had already bestowed on him a large 
grant of land, he came to him and said " My lord King ! 
Your enemies are again making head, and your own subjects 



Early History. 5 

love you very little. With your leave, we will send over to 
our own country for some more to help us ; and there is also 
another thing I shall be glad to mention to you." " What is 
that ? " says Vortigern. " Why," says Hengist, " the 
possessions you have given me in houses and lands, are cer- 
tainly very large, but I have no rank conferred upon me suit- 
able to them. I should wish to have some town or city made 
over to me, that I might take a title from it, and thereby find 
my proper place among your own nobility. " The thing you 
ask now is out of my power. You are strangers and Pagans, 
and my nobility would be highly displeased." " Nay then," 
says Hengist, " give me at all events so much land in addition 
to what I have already, as I can compass with thongs cut 
from a single hide to build a stronghold upon wherein I may 
shelter if there be need, for faithful I have been to you, and 
faithful I will be." " Well," said the King, " I will grant 
you that much." Whereon Hengist cut his thongs as narrow 
as he well could, and having already selected a strong, rocky 
position, he compassed it about, and built a strong tower 
thereupon, to which he gave the name of Thong Castle. 

Vortigern married Rowena, the daughter of Hengist who 
became King of Kent, and died in 488. 

Hengist and Horsa, Vortigern and Rowena, are said by 
some writers to be mythical persons. Nevertheless historians 
continue to repeat the account of their doings ; as there are 
good reasons for believing that the commonly received 
accounts of the conquest, are based upon historical facts. 
(Archeol. Instit., 1849). 

The acreage of the parish is now set down as 3,465 acres. 
The Tong parish in Kent, which reasonably claims to be the 
one connected with Hengist's stronghold, contains but 1,600 
acres, and seems to be now of small account. 

A picture of Thong Castle, from Merlin's book, given on 
another page, shows an extensive fortress occupying a site 



6 Early History, 

corresponding sornewiiat with that of the Tong Castle referred 
to in these notes.* It stands upon a triangular piece of 
ground formed by two streams which unite immediately 
below the western tower of the Castle. 




THONG CASTLE : from 

Tlie Life of il6>'U)i, surnamed Ambrosius. His prophecies and predictions interpreted, 
and tlieir truth made aood b/ our Englisii annals. Being a Clironological History from 
Bruti to the raigue of our Royal dovereign King Charles, by Thos. Heywood.— London ; 
Printed by J. Oakes, 1641, 

"Merihi. well verst in manv an hidden spell, 
His Countries oiiiev. did long since toretell, 
Grao'd in his Time b- sundr- Kings he was, 
And all that lid predicted came to passe." 

*Meilui, according to Plot, being " the British Prophet who flouiish't about the jear48o,' 



Early History. 7 

In the Britixh Avch(rolo(jical Journal, Mr. Tucker's Report 
says : 

The Hengist tradition is not only credible, but founded on fact. The 
Prophet Merlin or Ambrosias was associated with Shropshire. It is worthy 
of remark that th?. author gives the venerable Bede, and Wm. de Regibus, 
as authorities lor this tradition. Hengist landed 449. and died 488 ; and 
flourished contemporaneously with Merlin. When also the locality is 
admitted, and the strange coincidence of the mention of the building of 
Tong in his life, and the representation of it on the same print with his 
portrait is discovered, it appears to me there is not only ground for accept- 
ing the tradition but for acknowledging its probability. 

In a letter from a Kentish authorit}' on these matters the 
following passage occurs : 

Hengist invaded and subdued Kent. He had nothing whatever to do 
with Salop The stronghold of a Saxon Chief was not a stone castle, but 
an earthen mound, surrounded by a moat. The mcund remains at Tong in 
Kent, and the water remains at its foot, long utilised as a millpool and 
stream. 

In Dnvirstlai/ bock the word is spelt Tuange, and as early 
as 1 167 the two names occur of Tong and Tong Norton, which 
were charged with a fine of a merk for an ofifence their owner 
had committed against the harsh Forest Laws. Twanga is 
mentioned by Mr Eyton as occurring 1167, and Thonk 1212 ; 
1284 the Manor of Tugge occurs, but of many references 
Tong and Tonge are the most frequent. The opinion of an 
eminent Shropshire archaeologist is, liowever, that the name 
is simply derivable from Thong-lands, i.e., the lands of 
Thanes or Barons. May not the solution of .these conflicting 
opinions be that the cimning device of the Saxon in Kent was 
imitated in Salop in a time when the rewards for great military 
achievements were generally the lands of the conquered ? 

The great Roman Road— the Watling Street —passes 
through the northern part of the parish, and the .spot where 
it leaves it (at Burlington), crossing the brook that divides the 
parishes of Tong and Shifnal, was, not long ago. known as 
Stoneyford, a name, Mr. Hartshorne says, traceable to the 
Roman occupation. 



8 Early History. 

The first owner of Tong, of whom there is any record, 
seems to have been Leofric, called Earl of Leicester, who 
governed the North part of Mercia (a) ; he married the 
Lady Godiva, who, with her husband, is said to have numbered 
Tong among their vast possessions. Their son Algar, Earl of 
Mercia, (1057) married a sister of the " King of Wales," their 
sons were Morcar and Edwin. 

The doings of Morcar occupy so prominent a place in the 
history of his time, that they may be briefly related : — 

The rule of Tostig (Harold's brother) being too severe, the 
Northumbrians broke into insurrection (1065) when they 
elected Morcar their Earl, which act their king, Edward the 
Confessor, confirmed. 

The dignity and title of Earl was very rarely held, and 
implied much absolute authority ; indeed Earls were little 
less than Kings in the districts they governed, which were 
called Shires. The Earl's duty was to lead his men to battle, 
to preside with the Bishops in the Courts, and to enforce the 
execution of justice. He appears to have received one-third 
of the fines paid to the King. 

After the nobles, in the social scale, there were two classes 
of freemen — Thanes and Ceorls — the owners and cultivators 
of the soil. 

Thanes held lands by honourable tenure of service about 
the person of their Lord, or in the field, the law requiring one 
combatant from every five hides of land. A hide is said to 
be as much land as one plough would cultivate in a year. 

At the bottom of the scale were Serfs or born slaves 
generally attached to the Manor, and sold with the land and 
cattle, or sometimes used as " live money " to purchase or 

(ft) Merci i extended irom London to the Mersey and was the most powerful oi the 
Seven Kingdoms forming the Saxon Heptarchy . 



Early History. g 

barter goods, being valued at four times that of an ox. What 
an unhappy contrast with the present state of things ! 

To return to Morcar. William I. having won the Battle of 
Hastings, and devastated part of London and the southern 
counties. Earl Morcar (and his brother Edwin) submitted to 
him and swore allegiance at Berkhampsted. They accompanied 
the King into Normandy (1067), but returned the end of the 
same year. Edwin for his services was promised the daughter 
of William in marriage, but the engagement being broken 
they stirred up the people against William I. ; they were 
surprised before the affair was ripe, but subsequently par- 
doned. Morcar joined Hereward, the banished Saxon, who 
came to England, and became a rallying point for all who 
were disaffected to the new government. William I. broke 
up their " Camp of Refuge " (1071). Morcar submitted but 
was condemned to perpetual imprisonment ; Edwin was slain 
in an attempt to escape ; thus the last effort to resist the 
Conqueror was overcome, and the conquest became complete. 
William I. was now bestowing his new possessions upon his 
kinsmen and countrymen who had accompanied him from 
Normandy, and so we find he conferred Tong upon Roger de 
Montgomery (created Earl of Shrewsbury, Chichester and 
Arundel) together with the greater part of the land in the 
county of Salop, f 

t Ex. Ross's History, 



.>%> 



'mi^^mj'm 




V|y y|v 4>^ ^;> ^|y ^i> ^|St 4v 4> =/|v ^4,v ifi\ ^Iv :/|V 
OWNERS OF TONG. 

EARL MORCAR, elected by his covmtrymen Earl of Northumberland 
in the reign of Edward the Confessor (1042-1066). Tong worth 
;^ii annually at this time. He forfeited it to the King. 

KING WILLIAM I. who conferred it upon 

EARL ROGER DE MONTGOMERY, his kinsman, "The Great Earl."* 
Founded Shrewsbury Abbey. Founded or rebuilt Tong Church^; 
Tong fully described in Domesday Book about 1086, valued at £6 
annually.! ' 

EARL HUGH DE MONTGOMERY, his second son, succeeded about 
iioo. 

EARL ROBERT DE BELESME, his elder brother, who rebelled, and: 
was defeated, forfeiting it to 

KING HENRY I. ; who bestowed it upon 

RICHARD DE BELMEIS I., BishAp of London in 1108, a remarkable^ 
man, a great jurist ; he consecrated several Bishops, gave all his 
revenue to complete magnificent improvements at St. Paul's Cathe-^ 
dral, died 1127, and was succeeded by his nephews, 

RICHARD DE BELMEIS II., as to Church Lands only, He was Bishopi' 
of London. 

PHILIP DE BELMEIS (as to other lands). They founded Lilleshall 
Abbey. Some of his land betv.een Tong and Brewood was the sub-' 
ject of litigation ; the Bishop of Lichfield claimed it — hence probably, 
the name Bishop's Wood. He granted lands to Buildwas Abbey ; " 
and to Lilleshall tithes of his mills, of his herds, mares and colts, 
and free paunage for swine in his woods, also advantage of his woods 
for fire and building materials, and lands at Lizard Grange, the once 
proposed site of Lilleshall Abbey. J 

PHILIP DE BELMEIS his son, died without issue, as also did 

RANULF DE BELMEIS his brother, 1167. 

ALICE DE BELMEIS, his sister, who mnrried ALAN LA ZOUCHE, 
descended from the reigning Dukes of Brittany. Tlie land of " Lusard " 
is mentioned. 

(WM. DE BELMEIS. grandson of Robert, holds land at Tong, Hen. III.) 

WILLIAM LA ZOUCHE alias DE BELMEIS, d.s.p. Forcibly ejected a 
Clerk from Tong advowson, d. 1199. 

* The authority of Earls, within their province, was equal to that of Royalty itself. 
They granted the various Manors to Knights (or armed horsemen) whom they undertook 
to protect, receiving in return certain military service, generally 40 days every year. 

t The depreciation was probably due to the devastation attending the Conquest. 
Domesday book records that there were then 3 'hides,' may be 120 acres, subject to the 
Bishop's tax, and in demesne 4 ox-teams, and 13 slaves and poor people with 3 ox-teams, 
an ox-team being said to be as much land as one plough would cultivate in a year. 
Here was a league of wood. 

I " The grange" of which there are three in this Parish (Lizard, Hubbal, and Ruckley) 
and many in this neighbourhood, is defined by Mrs. M. E. Walcott from an old document 
of the 13th century, as " the monastic farm, and included a dove-cot, ox-houses, pig-styes, 
and stables : sometimes a large one had a hall and two or three chambers abutting on it, 
a kitchen and a court enclosed with a stone wall, pierced with a gateway. Some granges 
were only thatch'd, others had slatt roofs." [Ex- Shreds mid Patches, Aug. 16, 1876.] 
Mr. Hartshorne also defines it as signifying oiciginally a farmhouse or granary or farm 
appertaining to a monastery, or other religious house, and thus in time the term became 
identified with the place itself, hence the name, granger or store-keeper, a farmer. 
Pigeons are still kept at Lizard Grange, as indeed they are at most Granges. 



Owners of Tong. it 

ROGER LA ZOUCHE alias DE BELMEIS.* Forfeited Tong 1204 to 

KING JOHN, who conferred it upon his favourite 

WM. DE BRAOSE, 1204 (he had some undefined interest before in Tong). 
Soon forfeited it to King John, and died an exile : his wife and son are 
said to have been starved to dtiath. King John again confers it upon 

ROGER LA ZOUCHE (before named), who had returned to allegiance, and 
advanced in the King's favour : he accompanied the King on several 
journeys : was bound to find 2 men to fight in the King's army in 
Wales : was no less faithful to his son, Henry HE; made a grant to 
Hugefort, known as the tenure of Chaplet of Roses.* Died 1238. 

(HY. DE HUGEFORT, query undertenant only). 

■ALAN LA ZOUCHE (son of Roger). Distinguished for loyalty and 
capacity, a great jurist, 1240. He gave the monks pasturage for their 
stock at Ruckley Grange, through all his manor of Tong, and one 
swine stall in his wood of Brevvde, and eight cart loads of fuel yearly, 
1247. He further gave them leave to take old slumps in Ruckley 
Wood, and provided against their stock straying into his manor of 
Tong : also leave to make a bridge at Ruckley : the monks gave up 
certain privileges before granted, but reserved site for a mill at Timlet 

: Holloway. D. 1270. 

ALICE LA ZOUCHE, his sister, who married WM. DE HARCOURT, of 
the blood royal of Saxony, was in 1256 prosecuted for wasting the 
Abbot's trees at Lizard Grange. The Marlpit of Methplekes (? Meashill), 
is mentioned. Died 1272. 

MARGERY and OR ABEL DE HARCOURT, their daughters and co- 
heiresses. 

HENRY DE PEMBRUGE married ORABEL. King Henry granted to his 
" beloved and faithful Henry " a weekly market at Tong for three days, 
at St. Bartholomew's Day. The Pembruges came from Pembridge co. 
Hereford, a family of high antiquity in that county. 

FULCO DE PEMBRUGE L, only son of Orabel : his half-brother insulted 
Prince Edmund at Warwick, and was imprisoned in the dungeons of 
Wigmore : 1282, is not yet 12 years old, 12S4 holds the manor of 
Tugge with the vill of Norton. The capital messuage valued at 
5s., the fish in the Vivary {i.e. a place for keeping them alive) at 
2s. 8d., the Dovecot at is. 8d. ,t and the Water Mill at £2 per year. 
The Mill was below the Castle in all probability : of rents mentioned, is 
the Chaplet of Roses. 

FULCO DE PENEBRUGGE H., b. 1292, d. 1326. His mother. Lady of 
Tong, 1297, occurs in a return, as liable in respect of her property of 
_;{^20 or over, to be summoned to perform military service with horse and 
arms, in parts beyond the seas, Fulco claimed right to fix weight and 
price of bread and beer, and to hold a market and fair at Tong. Of 
age in 1312. In 1314, as a Knight and Lord of Tong, gives to Bishop 

* He did by a fair deed under his seal on which was bis pourtraiture on Horseback in a. 
Military Habit, grantunto Henry Huget'ort, and his Heirs, three Yards-lands, 3 Rfessuages, 
and certain Woods in Norton and Shaw in this Parish of Tonge, with Paunage for a great 
Number of Hogs in the Woods belonging to this, Iiis Manor, also Liberty of Fishing in all 
his Waters there, except in the f;rrat Pool of Tongf, with other Privileges, viz. : — of 
gathering Nuts in his Woods there, &c., rendering yearly to him the said Roger and his 
Heirs a Chafilel of Ros-s upon the Feast of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist, in case 
he or they shall be at Tonge, if not then to be put upon the image of the blessed Virgin in 
the Church of Tonge U\r all services, suits of Court, &c [Ex Magna Brit, j In Duke* 
Lloyd's Shropshire I find a note that the great Pool was a Meadow in 1736, but I aia 
unable to identify it. 

t A dove-house stands in and still gives a name to part of the Park at Tong, between the 
Castle and Church. 



12 Owners of Tong, 

of Coventry and Lichfield a plot of wood (? near Brewood). Confirm* 
free road for tlie monks' sheep and animals from their farm (or grange), 
at Ruckley, to their pasture at Donington ; also to make a fence and 
bridge, and site for a mill at Timlet. In 1313, he had King's pardon for 
joining the Earl of Lancaster. 1319, licence to exchange 10 acres with 
Prioress of White Ladies. 1322, a Knight representing Salop at York 
Parliament, and later for Gloucester at second York Parliament. 
1323-1326. summoned to levy archers, and engaged in several offices 
and counsels. D. 1326, leaving a sou, aged 15. 

FULK DE PEMBRUGE IIL, 1333. Lawsuit against him by his mother 
Matilda de Bermingham ; Fulk defeated. 

ROBERT DE PEMBRUGE (brother and heir), said to occur 1346-7, occurs 

1351- 
FULK DE PEMBRUGE IV., see Tomb 12. 1371-1410. 

ELIZABETH DE PEMBRUGE, Lady of Tong, his widow, see Tomb 12. 

SIR RICHARD VERNON, Fulke's nephew and successor, see Tomb 13. 

SIR WILLIAM VERNON, his son, see Tomb 14, 

SIR HARRY VERNON, his son, see Tomb 15. 

RICHARD VERNON, ESQ., his son, see Tomb 17. 

SIR GEORGE VERNON, his son. King of the Peak, owned 30 manors 
(buried at Bakewell, near Haddon 1565). 

DOROTHY & MARGARET VERNON, his daughters and co-heiresses. 
Dorothy eloped with Sir John Manners, upon the night of her sister's 
marriage, and conveyed Haddon to the House of Rutland. 

MARGARET married HON. SIR THOMAS STANLEY, see Tomb 19. 

SIR EDWARD STANLEY, their son, succeeded, and died in 1632. He 
sold Tong to 

SIR THOMAS HARRIES, Bart., Serjeant-at- Law. See referred to under 
Tombs 23 and 31. 

ANN AND ELIZABETH, his daughters and co-heiresses. Ann married' 
John Wylde, Esq., and died 1624, aged 16, see Tomb 23. Tong 
Castle passed to 

ELIZABETH, who married THE HON. WILLIAM PIEREPOINT of 
Thoresby, Notts., " William the Wise, " see under No. 31. He suc- 
ceeded, 1640 ; was described as "of Tong Castle." Pie died 1679, 
and his three grandsons became successively Ear's of Kingston, viz : 
Robert, died 16S2, William 1690, and 

GERVASE, LORD PIERPOINT, their youngest son, gained a peerage, see 
No. 24. His only child, Elizabeth Pierpoint, having pre-deceased him^' 
see under No. 31, Lord Pierpoint died in 1715, when his nephew, 

EVELYN, 5th EARL OF KINGSTON, created ist DUKE OF KINGSTON 
succeeded as Lord of Tong. He was father of Lady Mary Wortley 
Montague so celebrated in the literary world. His son William died 
before his father 1 7 13, leaving a son, 

EVELYN, last DUKE OF KINGSTON, owTier of Tong Castle, and had 
his seat there. He married the celebrated Miss Chudleigh, but left 
no issue and on his death in 1773 all his titles became extinct. He, 
in 1760, sold Tong to 

GEORGE DURANT, ESQ., of a Worcestershire family, who amassed a large 
fortune at Havannah. Reconstructed the Castle as now to be seen. 
See Tomb 30. He died 1780 aged 46. 

GEORGE DURANT, a minor at his father's death. He had issue a son 
George Stanton Eld Durant, who pre-deceased him, but leaving a son, 

GEORGE CHARLES SELWYN DURANT, who sold Tong 1855 to the 
Earl of Bradford. 



THE EARL OF BRADFORD'S FAMILY. 

GEORGE A. F. H. BRIDGEMAN, EARL OF 
BRADFORD, 2nd Earl of the 1815 creation, D.C.L., de- 
scended from Sir Orlando Bridgeman, Kt. and Bart., a lawyer 
of great eminence, and Keeper of the Great Seal, 1667, son of 
the Right Rev. John, Bishop of Chester, 1619 — 1657, — a family, 
whose seat at Weston Park has passed to them by inheritance 
from the De Westons (Knight Templars) of Weston, whose 
effigies in heart-of-oak still remain in the chancel of Weston 
Church, through the Newports, Wilbrahams, Myttons, and 
Peshalls. The Earl married Georgina Elizabeth only 
daughter of Sir Thomas Moncreiffe and Lady Elizabeth 
Ramsay. In 1865 the Earl died, when Tong passed to 

ORLANDO GEORGE CHARLES BRIDGEMAN, 3rd 
EARL OF BRADFORD, Viscount Newport and Baron 
Bradford, of Bradford, co. Salop ; a Baronet, Privy Councillor, 
Lord Lieutenant and Custos Rotulorum of Shropshire ; whose 
first official appointment was in the administration of the 
Earl of Derby ; and later in those of the Earl of Beacons- 
field, K.G., having held the high offices of Lord 
Chamberlain (1866-8), and Master of the Horse to Her 
Majesty the Queen 1874-80 and again in 1885-6. He repre- 
sented South Shropshire in Parliament twenty-three years, 
until his accession to the peerage. Born 24th April, 1819. 
Married 30th April, 1844, the Hon. Selina Louisa Weld 
Forester, daughter of Cecil, ist Lord Forester. 

The COUNTESS OF BRADFORD is the youngest 
daughter of Cecil, first Lord Forester (created Baron 
Forester, of Willey Park, co. Salop, in 1821) by his wife, 
Lady Katherine Manners, daughter of Charles, the 4th Duke 
of Rutland, K.G. Her ladyship's brothers, George, second 
Lord, and Cecil, third Lord Forester, died without issue, 
the present Lord Forester (Orlando Watkin Weld) being a 
Canon of York. This nobleman has an hereditary privilege, 
granted by Henry VIII., of wearing his hat in the presence 



14 The Earl of Bradford's Family. 

of the Sovereign. It was made to John Forester, of Upton 
and Easthope, in 1520, by licence "to use and were his bonet 
on his hede at all tymes and in all places, as well in our 
"presence as elsewhere." The name of Forester is derived 
from Richard Forestarius, who had charge of the King's 
Forest of Wellington Hay in Shropshire, in the reign of 
Henry HI. — an appointment of trust conferred by the King 
when penalties of death were frequently inflicted upon persons 
guilty of breach of the Forest Laws. A younger brother of 
the Countess of Bradford is the Hon. Henry Townshend 
Forester (b. 19 Jan., 1821), the well-known patron of the turf. 
Lady Bradford's sisters were : — The Hon. Anne Elizabeth,- 
ivho became Countess of Chesterfield ; the Hon. Elizabeth 
Katherine, married Hon. Robert John Smith, afterwards 2nd 
Baron Carrington ; the Hon. Isabella Elizabeth Annabella, 
married Gen. the Hon. Geo. Anson, and died leaving three 
daughters. Countess Howe, Hon. Mrs. George Fitzwilliam, 
and the Marchioness of Bristol; and the Hon. Henrietta. 
Maria, who married Lord Albert Conyngham, created Baron. 
Londesborough. The Forester arms are aryent, a bugle horn 
aahle, garnished with gold, a token of their office. Some 
further account of the Forester Family who were owners of 
part of Tong Parish will be given later. 

The Earl's eldest son, GEORGE CECIL ORLANDO, 
VISCOUNT NEWPORT, born Feb. 3rd, 1845, represented- 
North Shropshire in the House of Commons from 1867 to 1885, 
and is known as a fluent and graceful speaker, and one of the 
best shots in England. He lives at Castle Bromwich. His. 
lordship's Silver Wedding day is in 1894, he having married 
on Sept. 7, 1869, Lady Ida Frances Annabella Lumley, second 
daughter of Richard George, 9th Earl of Scarbrough, by his 
wife Frederica Mary Adeliza Drummond ; Lady Newport's 
brothers and sisters being the present Earl of Scarbrough, 
Lady Algitha, wife of Hon. Wm. Orde Powlett, heir to Lord 



The Earl of Bradford's Family, 15 

Bolton ; the Marchioness of Zetland, Countess Grosvenor, and 
the Hon. Osbert Lumley. Lord Newport has issue: Sons — 
the Hon. Orlando (b. 6 Oct. 1873), Hon. Richard Orlando 
Beaconsfield, (b. 1879, god-son to Benjamin Disraeli, Earl of 
Beaconsfield), and Hon. Henry Geo. Orlando (b. 1882); 
daughters — the Hen. Beatrice Adine (b. 1870), the Hon. 
Margaret Alice (b. 1872, now Countess of Dalkeith), Hon. 
Helena Mary (b. 1875, god-daughter of H.R.H. Princess 
Christian), Hon. Florence Sibell (b. 1877). The Hon. Orlando 
Bridgeman made a voyage round the world in 1893, and all 
will welcome the attainment of his majority this year ; while 
the Hon. Richard is a Naval Cadet. The Hon. Margaret 
piarried January 30, 1893, John Charles, Earl of Dalkeith, son 
and heir to the Duke of Buccleuch, and has issue Margaret. 
Ida, born Nov. 13, 1893. Lord Newport accompanied the 
Duke of Abercorn on his Special Mission from Her Majesty 
to the King of Italy, in 1S7S. 

The Earl's younger son, the HON. FRANCIS CHARLES 
BRIDGEMAN, born 4th July, 1846, is a retired Lieutenant 
Colonel of the Scots Guards, was engaged in the Soudan 
War, and is M.P. for Bolton. He niarried 26th July, 1883, 
Gertrude Cecilia, eldest daughter of George Hanbury, Esq., 
of Blythwood, and has issue Reginald Francis Orlando (b. 

i 1884), Francis Paul Orlando, Humphrey Herbert Orlando^. 

! and Selina Adine. He resides at Neachley. He accompanied 
the Earl of Rosslyn's Special Mission to the King of Spain. 

The Earl's elder daughter, LADY MABEL SELINA, 
: married Lieut. Col. William Slaney KENYON-SLANEY, 
I M.P. for the Newport Division of Shropshire, of Hatton 

Grange, Salop, and has issue Sybil (b. 18S8), and Robert 

Orlando Rodolph (b. Jan. 13, 1892). 

1 The younger daughter, LADY FLORENCE KATH- 

ERINE, married in 1881 Henry Viscount Lascelles, and is 

\ now Countess of Harewood, having issue a son, Henry 

. Viscount Lascelles lb. 1882), Lady Margaret Selina (b. 1883), 

and Hon, Edward Cecil (b. i^iSy). 



THE BRIDGEMAN FAMILY. 

ORLANDO, ist Earl of Bradford (who succeeded as 
second Baron Bradford, and was created an earl in 1815), 
married Lucy Elizabeth, daughter of George, fourth Viscount 
Torrington, and Lady Lucy Boyle, daughter of John, Earl of 
Cork and Orrery, an old Irish family. Orlando's father, Sir 
Henry Bridgeman, Bart., was created first Baron Bradford in 
1794. He married Elizabeth, daughter and heiress of the Rev, 
John Simpson, of Stoke Hall, County Derby, and her second 
son, John Bridgeman, married Henrietta (only daughter of 
Sir Thomas Worsley, Bart.), a great heiress, who took the 
name of Simpson, and thus founded the Bridgeman-Simpson 
family. A delightful miniature of this lady. Miss Worsley, is 
in the possession of Lady Bradford, and called " The Heiress 
of Appuldercombe." 

Sir Henry Bridgeman was the eldest son of Sir Orlando 
Bridgeman (of Castle Bromwich and Blodwell, Bart.j 
and Lady Anne Newport. She was a sister of the three last 
Earls of Bradford, of the Newport family, which title became 
extinct on the death of Thomas, fifth Earl of Bradford, in. 
1762. 

The Newport estates held by Henry Newport, third Earl 
of Bradford, Lady Anne's eldest brother, who died with- 
out issue, were of enormous extent, but were alienated by him 
from the family very largely. Lady Anne's sister, Diana, 
Countess of Mountrath, succeeded to a great part of the 
London property, including the Park of Isleworth, called the 
New Park of Richmond, and also Twickenham Park, with 
the mansion-house therein. This lady bequeathed all her 
cattle, sheep, and horses, corn, grain, hay, wine, ale, and all 
liquors and stores in her house to Lucy, Duchess of Montrose. 
Her other properties included Walsall, Tamehorn, Manors of 
Newton, Bobbington, &c., some of which happily reverted to 
the descendants of her sister, Lady Anns Bridgeman. 



The Bridgeman Family. 17 

Sir Orlando Bridgeman was the son of Sir John liridgeman, 
third Baronet, and Ursula, daughter and sole heiress of 
Roger Matthews, Esq., of Blodwell Hall, Salop, a descendant 
of the Princes of Powys and Wales. Roger was the son of 
John Matthews, Esq., of Court, and Jane, elder daughter and 
co-heir of Morris Tanat, of Blodwell, County Salop. 
These Tanats, of Blodwell, were seated at Abertanat, and 
took their name from the sparkling river Tanat, a famous 
trout stream. A part of the picturesque Tanat Valley 
in the Marches of Wales, forms a portion of Lord Bradford's 
ancestral estate. 

Morris Tanat was descended from " Einion-Efell," who 
resided at Llwynymaen, near Oswestry, Salop, and was Lord 
of Cynllaeth, who died in iig5. He was second son of 
Madoc-ap-Meredith, Prince of Powys, son and heir of 
Meredith-ap-Bleddyn, Prince of Powys, 1132. He was son 
and successor of Bleddyn-ap-Cynfyn and Haer, daughter of 
Cilin-apy-BIaidd Rhud, surnamed " The Wolf." Bleddyn- 
ap-Cynfyn, Prince of Powys, by inheritance, and Prince of 
North Wales and South Wales by usurpation, was fourth in 
descent from Mervyn, King of Powys, third son of Rhodri 
Mawr (or the Great), King of Wales, a.d,, 843, and died 847. 

Reverting to the family of bridgeman, and tracing it a little 
further it will be seen that Sir John, second Baronet (who 
bought the Castle Bromwich estate), was son of Sir Orlando 
Bridgeman, Bart., and Judith Kynaston, daughter and heiress 
of John Kynaston, Esq., also descended from the great King of 
Wales. The Kynastons, an ancient Shropshire family, trace 
back through Humphrey Kynaston "The Wild" (1534), 
through Griffith (of Cae Howell and Kynaston, Salop), to 
Jorwerth Goch, surnamed " The Red," son of Meredydd-ap- 
Bleddyn, Prince of Powys. It is curious that the Newport 
family also trace through a female co-heiress back to 
Meredydd-ap-Bleddyn. 



i8 The Bridghman Family. 

Thomas Newport, Esq., ancestor of the Earls of 
Bradford, married Ehzabeth, one of the co-heiresses of Sir 
John de Burgh, Knight of Mawddy, son of Ehzabeth, 
daughter of John, Lord of Mawddy, son of WilHam-ap- 
Griffith, son of Griffith-ap- Wenwynwyn, son of Gwenwynwyn, 
Prince of Powys- wenwynwyn (17 Ed. I.) by Margaret, 
daughter of Rhys, Prince of South Wales. 

Gwenwynwyn was grandson of Griffith-ap-Meredith, son 
of Meredith-ap-Bleddyn, Prince of Powys. Another sister of 
Elizabeth, viz., Eleanor, married Thos. Mytton, Esq., M.P., 
an ancestor of the Myttons, of Weston-under-Lizard, whose 
heiress is a direct ancestress of the present owner of Weston. 

Sir Orlando Bridgeman, the lawyer of great eminence, 
was successively Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer, | 
Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas, and Lord 1 
Keeper of the Great Seal. His father. Dr. John Bridgeman, | 
chaplain to King James L, was, after filling many Church 
offices, translated to the See of Chester, 1619, but was driven 
to take refuge with his son, Sir Orlando, at Morton Hall, and 
died there, the ancestral home of his daughter-in-law, Judith 
Kynaston, in 1652. During the troublous times of the Civil 
War, Clarendon tells how '* the City of Chester remained true 
to his Majesty, influenced thereto by the credit and example 
of Bishop John Bridgeman, and the reputation and dexterity 
of his son Orlando, a lawyer of very good estimation." Sir 
Orlando's charge to the jury at the trial of the regicides was 
highly extolled — indeed, as Chief Justice of the Common 
Pleas his reputation was at its zenith, and " his moderation 
and equity were such that he seemed to carry a chancery in 
his breast." 



EARLY CLERGY, &c. 

ERNULF Chaplain, had the Parsonage. 

ROBERT DE SHIREFORD, Parson. 

WILLIAM Parson of Tong: he impleaded 

a layman as he did not supply boots (?) to his wish. Church 

of Tong valued at £^. 

1410 Church built and College founded : Wm. Shaw or Wm. Mosse, 

Warden. 

1411 WALTER SWAN, Minister. 

1416 KING HENRY V. gave the revenues of Lapley town, manor 

and grange, to the College of Tong, provided Lapley Vicarage 
be sufficiently endowed, and a competent sum allowed to 

the poor there. 
1454 SIR RICHARD EITON, Priest ; Warden of the College. 
1470 MASTER JOHN LYE, Warden of Tong. made vicar of 

Idsall. Died, 1515. 
1510 RALPH ELCOCK died ; cellarer and co-brother. 
1518 SIR ARTHUR VERNON, Priest ; Warden of the College. 
1526 THOMAS FORSTER, died; sometime Warden of Tongue 

and Vicar of Idsall. See curious monument at Shifnal 

Church. 
1535 College valued at ^22 8s. id. a year. 

1546 College sold for /•200 to J. WOOLRICH. 

1547 Deed of Sale signed by K. EDWARD VI. 
i6i6 Register dates from. 

1639 GEO. MEESON, Clerk of Tong. 

1641 WILLIAM 80UTHALL, Rector. 

1658 ROBERT HILTON. Minister. 

1676 RICHARD WARDE, Minister. 

1678 WM. COTTON. Curate. 

1688 L. PEITIEll appointed Minister. Died, 1745. 

1694 JOHN HULTER, Curate of Tong, buried. 

1765 S. HALL died. 35 years Assistant Curate, 

1777 THOS. BUCKERIDGE. Minister of Tong. 

1785 THOS. LAWRENCE. Curate of Tong. 

1791 CHAS. BUCKERIDGE, D.D. 

1806 W. H. MOLINEUX, Perpetual Curate of Tong. 

1807 JOHN FLETCHER MUCKLESTON, M. A., afterwards D.D. 
1835 THOS. HALL, Curate. 

1839 LEONARD HENRY St. GEORGE. 
1843 GEO. SHIPTON HARDING. 
1855 JOHN WINGFIELD HARDING. 
1870 RICHARD GWYNNE LAWRENCE. 
I876 CHARLES T. WILSON. 

1882 GEO. CLENELL RIVETT-CARNAC who married a grand- 
daughter of the poet Crabbe. 
1890 JOHN HENRY COURTNEY CLARKE present vicar, late 

Major of the Royal Fusiliers. Churchwardens : THOS, 

MlLNEli, jun, and G. F. NOR I ON. Lectors: COL. 

HON. F. C. BuIDGEMAN, M P., and MR. H. P. SMITH. 

Clerk: GEO. BODEN. Schoolmaster: TUOd. GREENER. 






TONG CHURCH. 




HE present stately edifice which forms so 
pleasing a feature in the village and lands- 
cape, is one of few in the country that re- 
main to us without bearing traces of that 
destruction which is the natural outcome 
of opposing forces of men; and it is re- 
markable, looking back upon the struggles 
of 500 years, to think thei"e should be 
found in a country village so fine a specimen of Gothic 
architecture in practically as good (i.e. unrestored) state now 
as at the time of its erection ; and this applies almost as well 
to the interior as the exterior. The present building, worthily 
described as a venerable pile, is a pure and beautiful example 
of the Early Perpendicular. 

There seems to be no doubt that Earl Roger de Montgomery, 
the great Earl (and " a very prudent and moderate man," as an 
old chronicle describes him), founded a church here in the reign 
of William the Conqueror, within 8 years of Domesday. It is 
not clear whether his work was carried on or added to by his 
second son and successor. Earl Hugh, or whether the great 
bishop and statesman, Richard de Belmeis T., Bishop of London, 
who had a grant of Tong a little later, and spent all his resources 
in beautifying and improving St. Paul's Cathedral and the 
Clerkenwell Priory, had any part in completing the church ; 
but in the present building there are traces of work which are 







Tong cVvuTch ■'-'— 
from tKe east -^'^-'^ "ii7/.:..'U^;^;^-fiji'^ 




The Stanley tomb 
Tong 



EM'K. 



Foundation of Tong Church. 21 

referred, on good authority, to a date at least a century earlier 
than that of the general fabric as it now stands. 

To the pious benevolence of a lady, a widow, we are indebted 
for this rich and valuable example of Gothic architecture ; 
rich on account of the undisturbed condition of its component 
parts, thus enabling us to see the church in practically the 
same condition as that in which it was left by the monkish 
designer, and valuable in affording the student sufficient con- 
current details of the work for his instruction and guidance, 
with the view to their imitation elsewhere ; thus it must 
awaken a more than ordinary interest in the casual visitor. In 
short, Tong Church is a building of national interest, and 
contains monuments rarely to be found in edifices of the like 
proportions. 

Elizabeth, widow of Sir Fulke de Pembruge, Knight, with 
two clerks, had in the 12th year of King Henry IV., 141 1, his 
license to acquire of the Abbot and Convent of Shrewsbury 
the advowson and patronage of the Church of St. Bartholomew 
the Apostle, at Tonge in Shropshire, reserving to the Abbot 
and Convent an annual pension they were used to receive of 
6s. 8d. to convert the said Church into a perpetual college, 
with warden, chaplains, &c. ; the amount paid by Elizabeth 
being £50, a large sum of money m those days.''' 

The College stood south of the Church, and seems to have 
occupied four sides of a square. It must have covered a good 
deal of ground, judging by the twenty or more people who 
lived m it, besides the accommodation for the children who 
were to be taught there. (See account later of Tong College 
and its rules and regulations.) 

The Church thus made over to the widow of the Lord of 
Tong was made Collegiate, and by her dedicated, as some 

•Mr. Cox gives the amount £40, paid into the Hanaper, i.e., the King's Exchequer. 
The Hanaper was a Uind oi basuot used in early days by ilic Kings of liuglaiid for holding 
and carrying the money as they journeyed from place to place. 



22 Church — Architectural Features. 

accounts say, " to the worship and glory of God and in memory 
of her husband." Built of a durable local stone, evincing little 
or no decay, it consists as the plan shews of chancel 
and choir, nave, north and south aisles, vestry and porch. 
The Golden Chapel adjoining the south transept was added a 
century later, and is the only part of the building which dates 
subsequent to the time of Dame Elizabeth. In the centre, 
supported upon four lofty pointed arches, rises a curious 
steeple, which above the roof is square, and contains in the 
lower story the Great Bell of Tong. Upon this springs an 
octagon, forming the upper bell-story, containing the peal of 
bells, the whole finished with an elegant spire. 

In a report to the ArchcEoloyical Journal of 1845, the following 
remarks by Mr. Petit occur, and will best complete the descrip- 
tion of the edifice : — 

" The building affords a striking instance how completely 
the mediaeval architect felt the importance of scale as well as 
proportion. In a large church the simplicity of detail in this 
church would have given an unpleasing degree of plainness. 
In a larger church much that is now excellent would have 
been meagre and minute. The flattened roof is here a decided 
beauty, as it not only gives eff'ect to the embattled parapet, 
and pinnacles (which, when the finials were complete, must 
have been very beautiful), but to the steeple itself ; and had 
this steeple been of more tapering form, the range of spire 
lights, which are perhaps nearly unique, would have been out 
of place. 

*'The building is essentially a cross-church, yet it neither 
developes the form of a cross in its ground plan, nor indicates 
it, as it might have done, by transepts distinguished from the 
aisles. Such examples are far from common. 

"The following discrepancies are remarkable in a building 
which exhibits so much uniformity in design and carefulness 
in execution : — 



Church — Architectural Fratures. 23 

" Difference in north and south rang-es of arches in the nave. 

" Mouldings at base of piers diflfer, though the capitals are 
nearly alike, 

" External divisions do not correspond with internal ones, 
for the parapet along nave is divided by the pinnacles into two 
equal parts, whereas the interior has three arches between 
west wall and west pier of tower. 

•* Width of the two aisles differs a few inches ; and the east 
window does not stand in the exact centre of the front. 

"The base of the tower is not exactly square, nor is the 
octagon equal-sided ; the equilateral spire is more nearly, if 
not altogether so, which renders necessary a peculiar con- 
struction at its junction with the octagon." This is illustrated 
in the ArchceologicaL Journal. 

The following interesting note upon Tong Church occurs 
in Mrs. Halliday's work on the Porlock Effigies. 

"This is no church of the common order, but a theme for 
the painter and poet. Situated in a slightly undulating and 
beautifully wooded country, it is on the whole a building 
which embodies more of the true mediaeval feeling than 
perhaps any other we still possess. Besides many features of 
interest, such as the Vernon Chapel, with its beautiful fan- 
traceried vaulting, the abbatial-looking stalls, with their 
richly-sculptured poppyheads and western return ends, and 
several highly-wrought screens, it contains no less than seven 
elaborate altar-tombs, forming, along with the surrounding 
architecture, such picturesque groups as true artists like 
Louis Haghe or David Roberts would have delighted in. 
Thanks, as I am informed, to the protecting arm of the Earl 
of Bradford, it has been shielded from the destroying inroads 
of the dilettante ' restorer,' the interested ' architect,' and the 
cheap contractor." 




24 ToNG Church. 

THE RESTORATION. 

''' ITH regard to the Restoration of the Church 
in 1892, it must surely be a great satisfac- 
tion to know that no old features have dis- 
appeared nor old arrangements been ex- 
extinguished, but that the work, under the 
direction of the eminent architect, Mr. Christian, has been 
done thoroughly and well, and in a true conservative spirit. 
The cost, about ;;^5,ooo, has been chiefly borne by the Earl of 
Bradford, the patron. The Vicar, the Rev. J. H. Courtney 
Clarke, Mrs. Hartley and her friends, the Churchwardens, 
and the parishioners all must share in the credit which 
is due for collecting the monies to commence this 
great undertaking, and one which the Committee foimd 
was too great for their resources. This mediaeval fabric, 
substantially '* a gem of the middle ages," is again 
made good, and the ravages of time are stopped ; and patron, 
priest, and people are to be congratulated upon the achieve- 
ment of a noble duty, and one which hands on to posterity a 
monument alike of the Foundress's bounty, of the Ecclesiastic's 
devotion to art and religion, and of the present patron's 
munificence. The performance of such a work earns our 
present gratitude, it multiplies our inherent veneration, and 
lovingly consecrates the edifice anew to the holy offices of 
successive generations. 

Traces of one tiny patch of ancient mural painting too in- 
distinct to be of any value whatever, were found on the wall 
of the nave, when cleaning the wjIIs of the ugly colour which 
hitherto had disfigured them. 

A few modern pews which marred the appearance of the 
old oak benches have been removed, and the latter with their 
traceried panels refixed in a little more convenient manner. 



The R:iSTORATio>f. 25 

The flooring is entirely new, and the gradual rise of the 
level of it from the West end to the East, which was so 
marked and uncommon, has been adhered to. 

The various discoveries in the Golden Chapel and elsewhere 
will be found noted in their places under the headings. 

A valuable old book of Homilies was found by the Vicar, 
and also a note that the Royal Arms in the North Wall cost 
over ;^6o. The workmen also found two old silver coins, one 
of Queen Elizabeth's reign, during the restoration. 

The builder and contractor for the general work of Restora. 
tion in 1892 was Mr. William Bowdler, of Shrewsbury, who 
also undertook the carving and restoration of the choir 
stalls and screens, with a success most visible. Mr. Robert 
Bridgeman, of Lichfield, has re-erected the "Stanley" tomb, 
and done other work to the altar-tombs. The mediaeval 
stained glass which was all scattered about in a fragmentary 
way in various windows, has been collected and re-arranged 
by Messrs. Pepper & Boyd, of London. 

The Restoration has consisted of a thorough renewal of the 
roofs, the old lead having been re-cast, and new oak timbers 
put in where needed, preserving all old carvings ; the Tower 
stone-work partly rebuilt, the walls entirely cleaned inside 
and repaired, as also the damaged tracery of the West 
window, which was long an eye-sore, and caused many 
anxieties to visitors. A tew missing pinnacles have been 
supplied, and the parapets, vane, and clock repaired. 

Numerous other works have been done, and include heat- 
ing, with new chamber near the ruins of the ancient Alms- 
house, the general reflooring, reglazing, new ceiling to tower, 
&c., &c., and at the close of the work, it was a matter of con- 
gratulation to be able to announce that a piece of land had 
been given by Lord Bradford to enlarge the burial ground. 







i' ^^>^ 





IS" Visitors are advised to enter by the Porch and South 
door, the proper entrance, and to make the circuit of the 
building in the order given. 

ORCH. Ancient stone seats on either side. Fine 
old oak ceiling with well-carved bosses, pediment, 
and shields for arms. 

1. Door with considerable mouldings. A two-light window 
on either side, neither of which Mr. Christian thinks has 
ever been glazed ; old saddle-bars. 

2. SOUTH DOOR of Church exhibits some mouldings. 
Over it is a recessed niche for a statuette of the patron saint. 

SOUTH AISLE. Probably the pillars carrying the arches 
forming the arcade between aisle and nave are older than any 
other part of the church. Notice dog-tooth ornament on cap 
of pillar 3, and the labels of the arches at 4 and 5. These 
features, Mr. Petit says, in his report to the Archaological 
Journal, may be referred to the 13th century {i.e., prior to 
1300), and he suspects that the present south aisle originally 
formed the nave of the earlier church founded by Earl Roger 
de Montgomery, as the south side of the pillars is more orna- 
mented than the north, which perhaps faced the north aisle 
of the older edifice. Oak roof with carving. Tracery in 
windows. 

Generally, notice the OLD OAK SEATS and panelling of 
same with tracery ; most of them remain in their proper 



I 




u 

'S) 
Q 
< 

O 
Q 

















Seal <i the 

L. a.dy T OU.TI <1 re &s 



Nave, Font, &c. 27 

positions, but were rearranged in 1892, when modern seats 
were removed. The tile flooring is entirely new, but a tiled 
floor of much older date was discovered in the north aisle when 
erecting the new organ a few years ago. Tong once possessed 
a beautiful Gothic organ, described later under "Organ." 

6. NAVE. Take a general view of the interior from this 
spot. Notice old oak roof, with carved bosses at the inter- 
sections. The ranges of arches on the right and left are 
dissimilar, a common occurrence in medieval work. 

7. WEST DOORWAY, formerly closed, but re-opened 
m 1892. There was found concealed by plaster a very old 
rough boarding in this doorway, and in it a very small door, 
4ft. 6in, high, with double ogee head and rude hinges, and 
above it, WEST WINDOW. It has five lights, enriched in 
the upper part with debased Perpendicular tracery, and retains 
fragments of old stained glass. Subject " We praise Thee, 
God. " 

8. FONT. Old octagonal one of simple design, but good 
workmanship ; each face exposed has a trefoiled arch corres- 
ponding with the sedilia arches, and a shield. A hinge and 
catch still remain, probably appertaining to the old cover. 
The Font is made a little more accessible, but remains in the 
same position as usual, viz. : agamst the north-west pillar. 
There is a step for the priest, and one for the sponsor handing 
up the child. 

NORTH AISLE, oak roof, carved ; old oak seats. Tra- 
cery in windows. 

A slab found in 1892 beneath the floor of the north aisle 
bears " Here lieth the body of Thomas Poole, who departed 
this life Oct. the 21st ano., 1739, aged 51 years." Another 
slab found near the west door bears " Here lieth the body of 
Walter Glay, son of Walter and Margaret Clay, who departed 
this life April ye .... 1735, aged 18 years." 



a8 Old Slab, Screens, &c. 

There has also been found during the restoration in 1892 
an interesting incised slab representing, I believe, a priest, 
having on his arm the maniple, and a dog at foot. Some 
large letters 

LE WARDE . . . ERC ... J 
are upon it in very old character, which may allude to a 
Warden of Tong College. Various dates have been assigned 
to this slab, viz., 8th, 9th, or 12th century. It is now fixed 
in the floor of north transept, where antiquaries may view, 
and perhaps enlighten us upon it. 

9. NORTH DOORWAY, now closed, and in it notice 
the fragment of an old tomb now destroyed, comprising a 
shield of alabaster, with angels supporting it, and at the side 
some architectural features, twisted column, &c., of stone. 
The length of fingers and other characteristics have led some 
visitors to give an opinion that this is the oldest piece of 
sculpture in the Church. A somewhat, but not exactly 
similar fragment is to be seen at east end of No. 12 tomb. 

10a & b. WOOD SCREENS in north and south aisles 
dividing them so as to form Chapels in which particular ser- 
vices were said by the Roman Catholics. These screens are 
in the form of the letter L (see plan) and are "of very rich 
workmanship, with the colours well preserved, and only 
mellowed and toned down by time," Mr. Petit says. The 
north aisle screen 10a is ornamented only on the side facing 
the west, and was a good deal damaged, but repaired in 1892. 
It consists of a central arched opening over the path of the 
aisle, and on each side of it running north and south are three 
open traced divisions (time of Henry VII.), the piece returned 
to the pillar of tower consisting also of three divisions ; the 
lower part of screen being of traced panelling, corresponding 
with the tracery above : the crenulated cornice has carved 
foliage, and a cresting of Tudor character. 



ScuEBNS— Efpigies. ^9 

lOb. The south aisle screen, the richer of the two, has four 
openings on either side of the central one, and three returned 
to the pillar, all of delicate tracery. (Transitional ; about 
1400) On the side of it facing the west wall is a cornice 
(acorns and foHage), and below it is a carved string-couyse of 
laurel ; on the other side the vine. John Babyn is carved in 
letters' 4in. long upon the transom of this screen, in Tudor 
character. A step is observable from the aisle into the south 
chapel, but not in the north one. 
II. DOORWAY TO BELFRY. 

The next object of interest is the oldest altar tomb, and 
before describing it in detail it will be well to note that the 
effigies herein described belong to a period of continuous war- 
fare, when the custom of wearing complete armour necessitated 
the use of heraldic devices ; therefore a little note or word 
has been occasionally inserted, to explain certain objects 
which at the time of the erection of the monuments had a 
purpose and signification well known to alt beholders. Of 
effigies generally the following prefatory remarks by Mr. C. A. 
Sto'thard (author of the Monumental Effigies of Great Bntain) 
will enable anyone to appreciate the value of these monu- 
ments:— "With very few exceptions, effigies are the only 
portraits we possess of heroes and others in the ages famed 
for chivalry and arms. Thus considered they make us ac- 
quainted with the customs and habits of the time. To history 
they give a body and a substance, by placing before us those 
things which language is deficient in describing." 

In the beginning of the 14th century effigies are first met 
with in full relief. It was generally the custom to bury the 
dead in the dress which marked the habits of their lives, and 
so we find Knights who held their lands by so many days 
military service represented in military costume, their suit 
of armour descending from sire to son, or sometimes bemg 



30 Sir F, de Pembruge— 1409. 

bequ'eathed as a rich legacy. The first body armour was 
composed entirely of " mail," i.e., links interlaced, when the 
weapons of the rank and file were bows and arrows—" Eno'- 
lish shafts in volleys hailed " ; this was succeeded by a mixture 
of "mail and plate" armour, and finally "plate" entirely. 
The head was covered by a steel cap or helmet, having a 
narrow slit in the form of a cross to allow of vision and res- 
piration. 

12. SIR FULKE DE PEMBRUGE AND DAME 
ELIZABETH. GOTHIC ALTAR TOMB, mostly of ala- 
baster, with recumbent effigies representing Sir Fulke de 
Pembruge, Knight of Tong Castle, and his second wife. 
Dame Elizabeth (or Isabella), daughter and heir of Sir Ralphe 
Lingen, of Wigmore. 

This, the first and oldest of the altar-tombs at Tong, is the 
one under the north arch of tower, and originally beneath the 
rood loft,— an honourable place of interment, I suppose, for 
Chaucer relates of a Knight that '*He lith y grave under 
the rode-beem."* It rests upon a sandstone base, and is one 
of the four monuments described in the ArchcBohgical Journal 
before referred to, and in this guide numbered 12, 13, 14, 
17. "They are," the report says, " four monuments inraZw- 
ahle as representing a series of Perpendicular work, each speci- 
men being characteristic of the period to which it belongs. 
The first, though executed with great care (the minutest 
details of costume being elaborately worked), is comparatively 
severe and simple in its design, having more a massive than 
an ornate character." 

The Male Effigy :— 
Sir Fulke was Lord of Tong 1371, and died May 24, 1409— 
the last of his line. 



1 'Archbishop Courtenay (1396) bequeathed his body to be buried in front ot the rood 
Jolt, but subsequently revoked that part of his will, by a death-bed codicil averring that 
he was not worth v. ' ^'""5 '"<»i 



he was not worthy. 




^l^l?ill1fil linltfrlfill lllllml 

THE PEMBRUGE AMD VETR-NON TOMBS la^JS 



Sir F. de Pembruge, Died 1409, 31 

He is clad in armour, partly mail and partly plate — a fa(5t 
which helps to fix the date of the effigy closely. 

For men at arms were here, 
Heavily sheathed in mail and plate, 
Like iron towers for strength and weight. 

Sir n alter Scott. 

Ful wortky was he in his lordes werre, 

And thereto hadde he, ridden, no man ferre.f 

Chaucer. 

*' The Knight rests his head upon the ' helm ' or helmet 
whereon was ttie crest, yiz., — a Turkish woman's head, with 
a wreath about her temples, her hair plaited and hanging 
below her shoulders." This helmet would completely con- 
ceal the Knight's face, and so warriors wore crests upon their 
helmets, and coats of arms, to distinguish them from one 
another on the field of battle. 

Then marked they, dashing broad and far. 

The broken billows ot the war. 
The plumdd crests of chieftains brave. 
Floating like foam upon the wave ; 
But nought distinct they set : 
Spears shook, and falchions fiashod amain ; 
Fell England's arrow-flight like rain ; 
Crests rose, and stooped, and rose again. 
Wild and disorderly. 

Sir WaHer Seott. 

Helmets were made of certain different kinds, distinguishing 
the rank of the warrior. The placing of a helmet beneath the 
head of the Knight — with his gauntlets laid by his side, as on 
tOmb 17 — is suggested by the soldier's actual practice when 
asleep in camp. Notice the mantlet worn upon the helmet to 
protect it from stains or rust. The mantlet took the place of 
the contoise, which disappeared from use about the middle of 
the fourteenth century. The "contoise" was a coloured 
scarf, " the lady's favour " or "token" given by her to the 
knight before he set out to fight. The welding of the joints of 
the helm is so arranged as to form a cross, a favourite emblem 
in the middle ages. At the feet of the Knight is a lion, emblem 
of courage. 

t i.e. fiictlier. 



32 Dame Elizabeth de Pembruge — 1446-7. 

Tie Female Effigy .— 
His second (?) wife, Dame Elizabeth de Lingen, described as 
a widow, and " Lady of Tonge," was the great benefactress of 
Tong, and survived him. Sir Fulke Pembruge's first wife 
was Margaret, daughter and eventual sole heiress of Sir 
William Trussell, of Cublesdon, and of Sheriff Hales, Knight. 

Dame Elizabeth, about 1410, caused to be built the present 
Collegiate Church (except the Golden Chapel), and richly 
endowed it — as more fully described elsewhere. She died 
1446-7, and was buried beside her husband. Her effigy is 
on his right hand, indicating, Mr. Stothard says,* that 
she was an heiress. She is in widow's weeds, and on her 
chin a wimple. At her feet is an animal of the deer kind 
without a head, collared, and with chain of rectangular links. 
The lady's head rests upon a two-tiered pillow, an angel at 
each side supporting it (heads gone). The wimple extends 
round the chin over the shoulders, wiiere it disappears under 
a hood. The dress is one long plain garment. 

Ful semely hire wimple ypinched was. 

For, all for heat, was laid aside 
Her wimple, and her hood untied. 

It was upon this tomb that the Chaplet of Roses was placed 
annually on the 24tli of June, the peculiar and only rent 
reserved by one of the La Zouche lords upon granting large 
privileges in Tong to a De Hugefort (see detailed under 
Owners of Tong), " Round the neck of one of these Knights 
I observed a fresh garland of flowers, and was informed that 
an estate was held by the Tenure of putting such a Chaplet 
every year about this time on the said Tomb," Mr. Cole says, 
in 1757. 

There seems to be some uncertainty as to this monument, 
Sir William Dugdale, visiting Tong Church in September, 

*I think this rule will not apply to the Tong Effigies, .as the l;idy is placed on the 
Knight's right hand on each of the tombs, and they were not all heiresses. 



The de Pembruges. 33 

1663, refers to it thus : — " Towards the north side of the 
Church stands a faire Tombe of Alabaster whereon do lye the 
figures of a man in armour (partly mail and partly plate 
armour) and of his wife on his right hand, and on her chin a 
wimpler. Upon the Helm whereon the man resteth his head 
is this Crest (upon a wreath), viz., a Turkish woman's head 
with a wreath about her temples ; her haire plaited and hang- 
ing below her shoulders, with a tassel at the end of the 
plaiting. This is sayde to be the monument of Sir Fowke 
Pembruge, Knight, sometime Lord of Tong Castle. On the 
sides of this Tombe are divers Escocheons whereon armes 
have been anciently depicted, but I suppose it was since the 
Vernons became Lords of Tonge Castle, by marriage with the 
heire female of Pembrugge, for the painting is as followeth : — 
L, Blank. IL, Party per pale, — dexter, barry of six empal- 
ing a lion rampant, sinister, blank. IIL, Barry of six empal- 
ing fretty. IV., Arg. fretty sa. V., Arg. fretty sa. emp. barry 
of six. VL, Arg. fretty sa. VIL, Barry of six or and az. 
VIIL, Barry of six or and az. IX., Barry of six or and az. 
empaling az. a bend lozengy or. X., Az. a bend lozengy or. 
XL, Barry of six. XII., Barry of six." Others including 
VL and XL are repeated. 

The above language of Sir William Dugdale does not point 
to his conviction that the male effigy is not Sir Fulke Pem- 
bruge's ; moreover he says the arms have been depicted, 
implying that they were indistinct even when he saw them. 

Mr. Eyton argues from the arms thus recorded, that the 
tomb must be a Vernon one, but the crest of the knight would 
throw a doubt upon the conclusion that the entire tomb and 
effigies commemorate a Vernon, as all the Vernons have a 
boar's head crest. 

The measurements of the panelling (including the shields) 
on the north, south, and west sides, and part of the east, lead 



34 The de Pembruges. 

me to venture the suggestion that it originally surrounded a 
single-effigy tomb, now destroyed ; and, assuming the arms to 
be as above, it would seem to have been a Vernon one, upon 
which the broken alabaster boar's head crest now lying loose 
about the church would have found a proper place, as also 
the fragments of angels, and shields of alabaster found in 1892 
among the rubbish beneath the church iloor. As we have, 
continuous memorials of each generation of the Vernons from 
Sir Richard, the Speaker, downwards, and as none of 
them are defective as regards the crest, the thought suggests 
itself that the destroyed tomb could only have been to the 
memory of the Richard Vernon, father of the Speaker, whose 
rebellious conduct resulted in his execution. It seems not 
unnatural that his loyal descendants should viewAvith indiffer- 
ence the ruin of a monument recalling unfavourable incidents 
in a distinguished family's career. The sculpture now at the 
east end of this tomb (17) seems to belong to another destroyed 
tomb. 

Mr. Eyton appropriates the arms above mentioned to 
Pembruge, Vernon, Ludlow, and Bermingham, and is dis- 
appointed at not finding Sir Fulke's first wife's arms among 
them. Discussing the arms as above recorded, is it possible 
that the Arg. fretty sable (Vernon), '* the true lover's knot of 
heraldry," has been mistaken in some shields for Arg. a fret 
gu., for Trussel ? And again, the Lingen arms are so similar 
to Pembruge that they may have been confused — Lingaine, 
Barry of six or and az., on a bend gu. 3 roses arg. ; Lingayne, 
Barry of six or and az. on a bend gti., three plates arg. 

In Hereford Cathedral is a tomb with an effigy to Sir 
Richard de Pembruge, a benefactor to a priory there, the arms 
upon it being Barry of six with a bend. He was one of the 
earliest Knights of the Garter, the 53rd (Edwardian period),' 
and has plated armour and shirt of mail ; panache crest to 
helmet, a very rare example of the kind of plume worn in 



The de Pembruges. 55 

those times, not flowing but stiff and erect. There is a grey- 
hound at foot, with shaggy mane, and other details are very 
perfect and interesting.! The effigy has been carefully 
restored under the late Lord Saye and Sele's directions. 

It is probably he, Sir Richard, that is referred to in the 
Br ant in gh am Issue of Molls : — 

" To Henry de Wakefield, Keeper of the King's Wardrobe, 
by the hands of Sir Richard de Pembrugge, Knight, in dis- 
charge of £116 19s. 7d., due to the same Richard in the 
Wardrobe aforesaid, for the expenses of himself, his. men* 
at-arms, and archers in the war, as appears by a bill of the 
said keeper, cancelled in the Hanaper of this term. 44, Ed, 
III. (1371)." 

" The war " was one of the great military expeditions of 
Edward, the Black Prince — " the youthful prince who won 
his spurs at Cressy — that mirror of knighthood, the first and 
greatest of heroes, whose victories surrounded the name of 
his country with a lustre which produced strength and 
safety." f 

It is curious that Mr. Eyton makes no reference to a 
Pembruge so illustrious as to receive the Order of the Garter, 
whose name might have filled the blank he found when tracing 
the descent of Sir F. Pembruge IV. from Sir F. Pembruge 
III., and whose existence would, perhaps, have restrained him 
from appropriating Sir Fulke Pembruge's tomb to Sir Richard 
Vernon, alias (as he said) de Pembruge. The records as to 
the ownership of Tong appear to be deficient between 1335 
and 1371* ; this would not be surprising if the hero, Sir 
Richard Pembruge, were the owner, seeing he was absent on 
the Continent with the Black Prince, whose military career, 

X Note from Lady Saye and Sele. t Mackintosh. 

* See page 12. Under owners of Tong, Robert de Pembruge is mentioned by Shaw as 
brother and heir ol Fufli de Pembruge III., and father of Fuik de Pembruge IV. 



36 The de Pembruges. 

commencing in 1346 1 Battle of Cressy), kept him almost con- 
tinuously abroad until his death in 1376. 

The will of Fulke Eyton may be here mentioned, as it 
refers to Sir F. Pembruge's burial, and also gives an idea of the 
personal effects of a gentleman of that time. It is dated 1454, 
and directs that his body shall be buried by his godfather, 
Sir Fowke Pembruge, within the Chapel at Tong. This does 
not refer to the present Golden Chapel, which was not 
founded until 15 15, but to the Lady Chapel, which sometimes, 
though rarely, occupies a position near the north aisle. 

After directing that prayers, &c., shall be said at 4d. each, he gives /lo 
to the almshouse of Tong ; his best basin and ewer of silver to the priest of 
the College of Tong ; also " to the saide College a Bed called a fedre bed 
with the honging thereto of blew worstede ; to John Eiton " alle myn 
horse and riding harnes," and " harnes of goldsmythes worke" ; to "John 
the boy an horse and 40s." ; to the Chapel of Tonge a " mass boke " -and 
" Chalice," and " blew vestiment of damaske of my arms " ; to " Nicholas 
Eyton one of the good fedre beddis, and a chambre, and a bedde of lynhe 
cloth, steyned with horses"; to Isabella Englefield " another good fedre 
bedd," which after her decease was to go to John Eiton. 

In an old Book in the British Museum, dated 1796, 1 find 
" Col. Roper saith Vernon should be a red Knot, not sable.** 
The same work, in referring to Shottesbrookf (which has the 
most perfect Gothic Church in its county) confirms the 
account of a Pembruge and Trussell marriage. It says : — 

" Margaret Pembridge, daughter of Sir Wm. Trussell, knight, founded 
here [Shottesbrook,] 2 Ed. Ill,* a College and a Chantry for a warden, 
5 priests, and 2 clerks. He married Maude, daughter of Sir W. Butler, 
lord of Wemme. His body was seen by industrious Thos. Hearne fwhose 
father was Parish Clerk of Shottesbrook), wrapt up in lead, and hers at his 
feet in leather. Their son John died without issue, and then their daughter 
was married to Sir Fulk Pembrudge." 

The arms, Az., a bend lozengy, or, for Bermingham, seem 
more suggestive of the Pembruge family than the Vernon, 
Sir F. Pembruge II. having married a Bermingham. 

t Cough's Sep. Mon. v. 2 p. 2. 

* If sh,e was wife of Fulk Pembruge IV. this date must be a misprint. 



Sir R Vernon, Kt., the Spbaker. 37 

The arms of Ludlow would not be inconsistent with Sir F. 
Pembrugge's widow Elizabeth's, seeing she married Sir 
Thomas Ludlow as her first husband, according to an MS. in 
the British Museum recording the Visitation of 1584, 

13. RICH ALABASTER ALTAR-TOMB, with the re- 
cumbent effigies of a Vernon and Lady, and most probably 
SIR RICHARD VERNON, and his wife, BENEDICTA, 
(? daughter of Sir .... Ludlow, of Hodnet and Stoke- 
say Castle, Co. Salop, perhaps by his wife, Elizabeth de 



Sir Richard, born about 1391, created a Knight 1418, was 
constituted by patent Treasurer of Calais, 4 May, 1444, 
resigned it in favour of his son 1450, Captain of Rouen, 
(the place where Joan of Arc was burned to death in 1431), 
and Speaker of the Parliament held at Leicester 1426, died 
1451-2. 

The Treasurer of Calais was an important personage. Vast 
sums were constantly being expended in the protection and 
maintenance of Calais during the time the English possessed 
it, and this money all passed through the Treasurer's hands. 
The office of Captain was almost always held by a great noble 
or Prince, and the subordinate officers were of corresponding 
honour and profit with it, the chief one. In the rolls pre- 
served in the Tower of London, mention is made (i) of a safe 
conduct to Richard de Vernon to Vasconia (Gascony), signed 
by the King at Westminster ; (2) concerning the oiiice of 
Treasurer of the Town of Calais assigned to Richard Vernon, 
signed by the King at Westminster, 17th May, 1444 ; (3) the 
King appointed Richard Vernon, Knight, and Walter Aumener, 
Custodians and Receivers of the Mint at Calais, i Sep., 1446, 
and there are many ' safe conducts ' for various persons 
addressed to Richard Vernon, kni"ht. 



38 Sir K. Vernon, Kt., 1451 — Tomb, No. 13. 

His father joined in the Rebellion of the Percies, and took 
part in the Battle of Shrewsbury, Jul}' 21st, 1403, for he was 
executed there two days after, on Monday, July 23rd, Sir 
Richard being then ten years of age. It was the impatience 
of Hot-spur (Henry Percy) in attacking the King's forces 
before his junction with Owen Glyndwr, that cost him his life, 
and his followers defeat : a contest remarkable for the bravery 
of the combatants, and described as " one of the most obstinate 
and bloody battles recorded in English History." 

His mother was probably sister and heiress of Sir Fulke 
Pembruge, who died in 1409. 

Of five pedigrees relating to the Vernons no two agree in all 
particulars, but supposmg the above assumption as to Bene* 
dicta to be correct, and two genealogies confirm it, it is not 
difilcult to discern the exceptional facilities at the command of 
Lady Pembruge for carrying out the huge task she had set 
herself, namely, the foundation of a College with its beautiful 
Church and other accessories, at a place where her own 
interest was merely as a dowry. Her father, Sir Raffc Lingen, 
is described in the Visitation of 1584, "as of Tong Castle," 
which is curious. The erection of the Shottesbrook Chantry 
by Sir Fulke's first wife Margaret (Trussel), was not unlikely 
the cause of Elizabeth's equal zeal at Tong ; and the marriage 
of her daughter to the Lord of Tong, her husband's nephew, 
the Speaker (whose influence with the king is marked by the 
bestowal of the revenues of Lapley upon the College), enabled 
her to overcome the apparent difficulties in the way of placing 
upon a permanent footing her College scheme. It seems 
natural that Sir Fulke's sister, who probably survived her 
husband, should have had Tong Castle, but I suppose her 
alliance with the rebel would put her outside the pale of royal 
sympathy. 



Sir K. Vernon — Tomb, No. 13. 39 

The learned antiquary, the Hon. Canon Biidgeman, having 

found my supposition confirmed in Inq. P.M., I append his 

letter dated 20 May, 1892 : — 

The Hall, Wigan. 

20 May, 1892. 

Dear Mr. Griffiths, -I told you some time ago that I had come across 
the inquisition giving the exact connection between Sir Fulke Pembruge of 
Tong and Sir Richard Vernon. 

I do not know that it will be any news to you, but I had lost sight of it 
and have now xound it again. 

You know that the last Sir Fulk de Pembruge married two wives. His 
first wife was the daughter and heiress of Sir William Trussell of CubJesdon 
and Sheriff Hales, and widow of Nicholas de Whyston, Lord of one-fifth of 
the Manor of Weston-under-Lizard as being the son of Elizabeth de 
Weston, afterwards wife of Sir Adam do Peshale. This Margaret died in 
1402. You know much more about Elizabeth, the 2nd wife and widow, 
than I do. 

Fulk de Pembrugge died on Friday before the feast of St. Augustin, 
10 Hen IV. (May 24th, 1409), and Juliana, wife of Sir Richard Vernon of 
Harlaston, was found to be his heir. She was then 60 years of age and 
more. 

Sir Fulk held the Manor of Tong jointly with Isabella (same name as 
Elizabeth), his wife )'et surviving, with remainder to Richard de P. 
(Pembruge ?), son of Richard Vernon, the nephew of Fulk and Benedicta 
his wife, yet living, to them and the heirs of their bodies, by charter or 
settlement. 

It would seem from this that the Manor of Tong went straight to this 
Richard Vernon (or Pembrugge) instead of to his mother, the rightful heir. 

The reference for this information is Inq. P.M. 10 Hen. IV. no. 45. 
Believe me, 

Yours truly, 

George T. O. Bridgeman. 

The tomb rests upon a sandstone plinth, and is ornamented 
with rich canopy work, into which are introduced figures of 
angels and saints alternately. The latter are of remarkable 
beauty, and doubtless modelled by some Italian artist ; those 
holding shields, being, on the other hand, of commoner design 
and execution. Sir Albert Woods, Garter King at Arms, adds 
a note that these shields are '• Not sketched in the Visitation." 
This is the second of the four tombs in the nave described by 
Mr. Petit, and of this, in pajticular, he says, " The 
second is decidedly florid, yet all its enrichments are of a 
strictly architectural description." 



40 Sir R. Vernon — Tomb, No. 13. 

The knight is on the left, " bis face being noble, and very 
peaceful, — the repose of death." 

He rests his head upon a helmet with the Vernon crest 
thereon, viz., Upon a wreath, a boar's head* couped and tusked. 
The helmet and crest are placed to the north side. On the 
Pcmbruge tomb, the crest is to the south. At his feet is a lion. 
He is in plate armour, and has a large circlet on basinet of 
gilt laurel leaves, and probably pearls are intended. There is 
a gold circlet below on the forehead, and a stud near the ears 
to fasten the body armour to basinet. The armour on shoulders 
and chest is crescented. The elbow-roundlets and knee-caps 
are shell pattern. There is a rich circlet bclov/ the waist, 
from the waist to the hips are four plates, one plate beneath 
the circlet, and two plates below, and to the lowest plate of the 
armour are attached straps (4 in front) which form a kind of 
hinge to the tassets. This arrangement was in order that the 
armour protecting the thighs should not impede the free move- 
ment of the legs when marching. He wears besides a sword- 
belt and sword, the SS. collar, an honourable decoration to be 
seen on later Vernon effigies. 

The collar of the SS., composed of links of silver gilt, with 
badges at the centre, containing the shamrock, rose, and thistle, 
was introduced by Henrj'^ IV. The earliest instance of it is 
believed to be upon the effigy of his Queen, who died in 1397. 
(See tomb in Canterbury Cathedral of Henry IV. and Queen, in 
the Thomas A'Becket Chapel, where the letters SS. are often 
repeated in the ornamentation of the tomb). The King's motto 
was " Soverayne," and the inference is that the letters were 
used as the initials of that favourite impress. The kmg seems 
to have made this emblem of his sovereignty an honorary 
mark of distinction ; we find it employed as such, by his son 
Henry V. at the battle of Agincourt, 1415. " He exhorted 

* The only colouring left is the animal's red nose. 



Sir Richard Vernon, Speaker 1427. 41 

such of his train as were not noble, to demean themselves well 
in the fight ; he promised them letters of nobility, and to dis- 
tinguish them, he gave them leave to wear his collar of SS."f 

" The sword in the middle ag-es was a symbol of honour, 
an object almost of worship ; the chosen seat and image of 
the sentiment of chivalry. J " On the scabbard of Sir Richard's 
two-handed sword, now broken, was the sacred monogram 
I.H.S. 

In SfofJiard's Efigies those of Sir E. de Thorpe (killed 1418) 
and lady, in Ashwell Church, Norfolk, and of Ralph Nevill, 
Earl of Westmoreland, and his two wives in Staindrop 
Church, are very similar to these Vernon eflRgies. 

Of Sir Richard Vernon's wife little is known beyond that 
her christian name was Benedicta. Rayner suggests that 
she was a native of France, but Mr. Eyton describes her as 
daughter of Sir John Ludlow. 

Woman ! whose sculptured form at rest 

By the armed knight is laid. 
With meek hands folded o'er a breast, 

In matron robes arrayed ; 
What was tlui tale ?— (D gsntle mate 

Of him, the bold and free, 
Bound unto his victorious fate, 

What bard hath sung of thee ? 

He wooed a bright and burning star — 

Thine was the void, the gloom, 
The straining eye that followed far 

His fast-receding plume ; 
The heart-sick listening while his steed 

Sent echoes on the breeze ; 
The pang- but when did Fame take heed 

Of griefs obscure as these ? 

— Mrs. Hemans. 

The characteristics of her effigy are : — Large head-dress of 

the style called " mitred," peculiar to the time of Henry VL 

(illustrated in Mrs. Halliday's work on the Porlock Effit/ies of 

Lord and Lady Harrington, who died respectively 1418 and 

about 1472), with the fret on each side, laurel band, band 

t Slothaid. * Jiuilding Xeics, Aug. lo, 183j. 



42 Vernon — Tomb No. 13. 

crossing breast and fastening mantle, with enriched lozenge- 
shaped button on each shoulder. Long cords intertwine 
across the chest and hang down, with tassels at the end ; 
several rings are on the fingers, and the hands are folded as if 
in prayer. At her feef are two dogs collared.* f " These 
animals, so frequently found with figures on tombs, especially 
those representing females, are the appendages of high rank. 
They were indeed the lady's pet dogs." Thus Chaucer 
(1. 146) says— 

" Ot smale houndes hadde she, that she fedde, 
With rested flesh, and milk, and wastel brede. 
But sore wept she if on of hem were dede, 
Or if men smote it with a yerde smert,"J 

The lady wears the collar of the SS., and her head rests 
upon a cushion supported by angels. " The lady's face is 
lovely, the broad fair forehead, and the well-arched eyebrows, 
the straight nose, and beautifully-moulded mouth and chin ; 
and above all, the expression that seems to animate the 
features, though in stone, and to shine down to us through 
centuries, fills even a casual observer with admiration and a 
kind of awe." Somewhat resembling the lady's effigy are 
those of Sir Humphrey Vernon's wife at Bromsgrove, and 
Joan, Lady Bardolph, at Dennigton, County Suffolk. This 
latter lady was daughter of Thomas, Lord Bardolph, whose 
body was quartered, and parts set upon the gates of Shrews- 
bury and other towns after the insurrection under the Earl 
of Northumberland, 1407-8. The attire of Lady Mohun (Joan 
Burwaschs or de Burghersh) presents us with an example of 
the fret or reticulated coiffure adopted by Court Ladies of the 
14th century. 

There is no inscription on the tomb, but in a Gothic window, 
in the old Chapel forming part of Haddon Hall, is an inscrip- 

• These dogs are technically called " brackets." 

t Stothard. + i.e. with a stick hardly. 



s 



m giiMC naam m wpjii jj? hdu jm ym Jtan wiBiUBBn" 




•» Hif laffnt m wm Hermm aailcs aamiglcgilfg omteliiilflrmsliSf 



TOMB No. 14. 
SIR WILLIAM VERNON AND MARGARET HIS WIFE. 



Sir W. Vernox, 1497- 43 

tion asking the prayers of the reader for Richard Vernon, and 
Benedicta, his wife, 1427. 



" Orate pro animabus Ricardi Vernon et Benedictae uioris ejus qui 
fecerunt Anno Dni., mccccxxvii." 



By this marriage Hodnet came to the Vernons, and the 
East Window of the Chapel there commemorates the union. 

14. FINE ALTAR-TOMB of free-stone, with slab of Pur- 
beck marble inlaid with brasses, to SIR WILLIAM 
VERNON, of Tong Castle, and MARGARET his wife. He 
died 1467. 

This is the third of the four monuments referred to by Mr. 
Petit : — " The third, though it has open work canopies, 
depends much for its richness upon the spaces filled with 
minute and intricate panelling." There are several stone 
shields in the panelling, but the arms are defaced. The 
brasses with the shields form an elegant example of a 
" mediaeval brass." On removing modern woodwork in 1892 
from the south side of this tomb it was found to be plain 
stonework, except one panel at the west end of that side. 
Solid masonry intervened between it and the pillar near. 
This and the east end panels are not in their proper positions, 
but remain as they were found, it being impossible to tell 
exactly how they ought to be ; perhaps antiquarians will 
examine them and give their opinions. 

INSCRIPTION : — 

^k jacent bus ^[tlliiig UernDU fHtks (J^uonbrn fHiIeg 
constahilartus SntjUc ftltiis et i^crrs lini Ekarbi Fernon fHilttig 
qui quflutim zxat (ITijcsaurarfuei Calcgfe qui quitiem tius ^ISEillms obiit 
faltima t)te mmsis Sunti Snno ©amtni iSinim0 cccc Ii bii ffift 
iflargarcta Uiat bici ffiSHilli Qlia <Bt ijtxt^itax tni Eobcrti Pgpis (St 
Spcrnores iHilitis que quibEin fflartjareta obiit .... bit 
iEensis . . . ^Inno Domini fHillimo ccccli . . . quorum 
^Inimabus ^ropicittur Dcus. 3lfH(!5i^. 



44 Vernon — Tomb No. 14. 

translation : 

Here lie Sir William Vernon Knight sometime Knight Con- 
stable of England son and heir of Sir Richard Vernon Knight 
who sometime was Treasurer of Calais which Sir William 
indeed died the last day of the month of June in the year of 
our Lord 1467 and Margaret wife of the said William 
daughter and heiress of Sir Robert Pype and Spernore 
Knight which Margaret indeed died .... day of the 

month in the year of our Lord 146-, *on whose 

gouls may God be merciful. Amen. 

It is curious that the inscription should omit the maiden 
name of Dame Margaret, viz., Swinfen t ; she was daughter 
of William Swinfen and Jocosa his wife. He was cousin and 
heir of Sir Robert Pype of Pype Ridware, and Jocosa was 
younger daughter and co-heir of William Dureversale alias 
Spermore (or Spernore). Probably Margaret's father adopted 
his cousin's name upon his succession to the Pype inheritance. 
Sir Wm. Vernon and Dame Margaret were married in 1435, 
when they had grants of her grandfather's (Spernore's) lands. 
In 1445 she succeeded to her father's estates, Pype Redware, 
Draycot, and Seile, and the Manor of Wall. 

The appellation of " Knight Constable of England " would 
seem to indicate the deputy of the Lord High Constable, an 
office next in dignity to the Lord High Steward, who was the 
first personage in the realm next to the King, but Sir 
William does not appear to have had a superior. The Con- 
stable's office was, however, more ancient, and at one time 
more important than the Lord High Steward's. In the 
absence of the King, the Constable commanded the army and 
kept the Constable Court. 

* She survived her husband, and is described as his executor in 1467. The inscription 
is defective as to tlie day and month, and probably the ye^r was left to be filled up by 
other hands in the same way, but never was completed. 

t The hamlet of Swinfen is near Lichfield, the parish of Pype Ridware being also in that 
neiehbourhond. I imagine these are the places from which the families of Swinfen and 
Pype emanated. Mr. E. Swynfen Parker Jervia is the present ownef of a large part of 
Pype Ridware. 



Vernon- Tomb No. 14. 45 

Constaislb: To liorse, you gall:int princes! straij^ht to horse 

' To the Constable it pertaineth to have cognizance of con- 
tracts touching deeds of arms and of war out of the realm, and 
also of things which touch war within the realm, which cannot 
be determined nor discussed by the common law." Ralph de 
Mortimer was the first Constable appointed by King William I. 
He had the estates of Edric, the Forester, Earl of Shrewsbury, 
whom he took prisoner in his Castle of Wigmore. King Henry 
I. made the office hereditary in the family of the Earls of 
Gloucester ; but in Sir W. Vernon's time there appears to 
have been no hereditary constable. Sir William "was the 
last one who had a grant of the high office, it being looked 
upon as too important for a subject to be thus entrusted with 
it," says Hayner's History of Kaddon. 

The brasses inlaid consisted of 26 pieces (well shewn in a 
print published by Wallers in 1842), viz. : — 

1. Sir William, in late chain and plate armour, with sword, dagger, and 
spurs ; the helmet with mantling in shreds,* his crest a boar's head, 
and this motto : — 

2. " 13£n£bictuS teUS in IJOniS SUIS." (Blessed be God for His 

gifts.) 

3. Dame Margaret, wearing a hood and wimple, long cape lined with 
ermine, hanging from the shoulders, with cords and tassels. At her 
feet is an elephant. 

4. This motto above her head—" JJf)U fill tiabltl f&.miiXt nxjlj ' " 

(Jesu, Son of David, be merciful unto us.) 

5. Shield above the Knight, for Pembruge. Barry of six, or and az, 

6. Shield above the lady for Dureversale.f Sa., a fesse chequy or and gu. 
between six escallops arg., three above, three below. 

7. Shield between 5 and 6 for Pype. Az., two pipes between seven cross 
crosslets, or. 

8. Shield in the centre, for Vernon. Arg. fretty sa. 

9. Shield for Ludlow. Arg. a lion rampant ducally crowned, guleSf 
collared langued 

• Latterly mantlings were represented as very much cut and worn, occasioned by the 
many cuts received about the head, and therefore the more ragged they were, the more 
honourable, as is the case with our " Colours." 

t According to Edmondson. In Ducarell's Book this shield is put down as " Peter d* 
ancerlis.' 



46 Vernon — Tomb No. 14. 

10. Shield recording the union of Vernon and Pype. Per pale, dexter, 
art], fretty, xa. sinister, az. two pipes between seven cross crosslets or. 

11. Shield for Camville. Az. three lions passant, or. 

12. [Missing J Shield, arg. a bend engrailed gules for [Un- 
known.] 

13. One son, and this scroll : — 

14. " Spabl in tno rt ercptat mc." (I have put my trust in the Lord 
and He will deliver me.) 

15. One son, and this scroll : — 

i6- " iFJFili liet mentEUta mei." (Son of God remember me.) 

17. One son. 

18. One son, and 

19. [Place of scroll, missing.] 

20. One son, and this scroll : — 

21. " 13m Icbafat aiatn mea atl te." (Lord, I have lifted up my soul to 
Thee.) 

22. Two sons (? twins.) 

23. Two daughters (? twins) 

24. One daughter, and this scroll : — 

25. " 3|)u fill matte pi'ctat tnisercre nobis." (Jesu Son of Mary of Thy 

pity be merciful unto us). 
a6. [Missing.] two daughters (twins ?) 

The sons are shown alike in long frocks, and wear pointed 
sandals ; the daughters wear large fret head-dresses and long 
gowns. 

Near this tomb is the LECTERN (L), given by the Rev. 
G. C. and Mrs. Rivett-Carnac in 1890. The old lectern was 
an eagle carved in oak, with one leg bent in an unnatural 
position. The Bible upon it is inscribed thus: — " Tong 
Church, 1848. Presented by the Rev. R. H. Leeke." 

P. Jacobean PULPIT of oak, hexagonal, exhibits some 
good ca»-ving. Date and inscription on the side facing the 
nave: — " Ex dono Dne Harries Anno Dni. 1622." The gift 
of Lady Harries. 

15. FINE ALTAR-TOMB with stone effigies commemo- 
rating SIR HENRY VERNON KT., (Lord of Haddon and 
Tong Castle, Knight of the Bath, Governor and Treasurer to 



Sir Harry Vernon, 151 5. 47 

Arthur Prince of Wales), and his wife LADY ANNE 
fdaughter of John Talbot, 2nd Earl of Shrewsbury), both 
buried beneath the tomb. He died 1515 ; his wife in 1494. 

The following is the inscription, which, with the shields and 
base, were until lately partly concealed by modern wood- work 
in the chapel : — 

Pjt'c jacct rorpora ^cniin Fcrnon i^iltti's ?^uj0 crclesie 
Collfgtate fimtiatorfs tt Bne ^nne (ZTaltiat uiorfs suis fiUe 3a]}i& 
Comits Salopic qui quitim ©ns f^cnn'cus obiit xiti tiir mcnsiss 
9[prilis 3nn0 bomt'ni millcsima qiunrfcntc3im0 xh" lEt tii'ctatinc 3lnua 
ofati't ibit tiic mens majj Sluno tint miUo cccc Iixxi iiijto quor aiam 
ppirirtur 

Translation : — Here He the bodies of Sir Henry Vernon 
Knight, the founder of this Chantry Chapel, and Dame Anne 
Talbot his wife, daughter of John, Earl of Shrewsbury, which 
said Sir Henry died the 13th day of the month of April in the 
year of our Lord 1515, and the said Lady Anne died the 17th 
day of May in the year of our Lord 1494, on whose souls may 
God be merciful. 

The tomb is placed under a wide Burgundian arcli, which 
opens the north side of the chapel to the south aisle. 

Above the tomb on the aisle side are four elaborately carved 
tabernacles, but bereaved of their statues When this work 
was richly gilt, and images filled the niches, as no doubt was 
the case when the tomb was completed, the general effect 
must have been very striking. 

Mr. Cole in 1757, speaking of these, said " There is a very 
neat small chapel which has a very fine tomb under a most 
beautiful and richly carved canopy." 

A small shield in stone stands between the two central 
brackets, the arms being : — Quarterly of six, viz. : — ist. Pretty. 
(Vernon). 2nd. Two lions passant guardant. ( .) 3rd. 



48 Sir Harry ViiRNOX, 151 5. 

Gh. a lion rampant or within a bord'ire engrailed or. (Talbot). 

4th. Barry. (Pembrugge.) 5th. Fretty, a canton 

(Vernon.) 6th. az. Two pipes between nine crosslets or. 
rPype). 

On the north side of the tomb itself are four shields bearing 
the following coats: — -i. Barry of six or 2ir\d az. (Pembruge.) 
2. ... a lion rampant sa. within a bordure gu. (Talbot.) 3. 
Az., two pipes between 12 crosslets, or. (Pype.) 4. Fretty. 
(Vernon). And on the south side are four : — i. A lion ram- 
pant sa. for Ludlow. 2. Fretty for Vernon. 3 Three 

lions passant for Camville. 4. Fretty impaling Qules a lion 
rampant, within a bordure or for Vernon and Talbot. The 
heads of the figures intervening, on the south side, are all 
broken . 

Sir Henry is represented in plate armour and wears the 
collar of SS. At his head, black plumes surround the helmet, 
which is large and has narrow ventaille with little ornaments 
in rows above and below the aperture. The crest of helmet 
is a boar's head. The knight's figure is of large proportions, 
and resembles that of Talbot the great Earl of Shrewsbury. 
The basinet is discontinued and the hair is cropped at the 
neck. Notice the veins in black lines upon the hands. The 
shields on this tomb are similar in pattern to the armour hang- 
ing down over the thighs. The scabbard of his large SAVord 
is coloured red ; upon the hilt is the Vernon crest, a boar's 
head, which is repeated upon the guard. He also wears a 
dagger. 

Sir Henry was Guardian (or Governor) and Treasurer to 
Arthur Prince of Wales, eldest son of Henry VII., who lived 
at Ludlow Castle and held his Court there. In 1489 Prince 
Arthur was created Prince of Wales, and the nominal govern- 
ment of Wales was vested in him. Probably Sir Henry 
Vernon was chief of his counsellors. The talents, acquire- 
ments, and character of the Prince, are reported to have been 



Sir Harry Vernon, died 151 5. 49 

such as reflected honour on himself and on the individual to 
whom he was indebted for the direction of his studies and the 
cultivation of his faculties.'^ He married at the early age of 
16 the Princess Katharine of Arragon, and died soon after- 
wards (in 1502), much regretted by the nation. Sir Henry 
witnessed the marriage contract. 

According to tradition Prince Arthur Tudor spent much of 
his lime with Sir Henry at Haddon, where one of the apart- 
ments was called the Prince's chamber. Sir Henry's seat at 
Tong was probably no less honoured by the Prince's presence, 
lying as it does a little less than half way between Ludlow 
and HadJon, and being within easy distance of Shrewsbury, 
where Prince Arthur frequently visited. 

Sir Henry was one of " les nobles et vaillanis chevaliers " 
who gathered round the Royal standard June 6, 1487, and was 
M.P. for CO. Derby, 1478, and High Sheriff for Derby 1504. 
He passed his last days in retirement. 

Sir Henry gave the " Great Bell ' to Tong, and founded the 
Golden Chantry Chapel (both described elsewhere), and in 
1500, on the site of the old castle which had become ruinous, 
built the second Tong castle. 

John Leland's Itinerary^ thus refers to " The Vernons " at 

Tong : 

" Many or almost al ly there that were famous 

Syr Henry of them sins the Fundation. 

, . , There was an olde Castel of Stone cauUid 

daies made 

the Castel Tunge Castel. It standeth half a mile from the 
new al of Toune on a Banke, under the wicli rinnith the 
Brike. Broke that cummith from Weston to Tunge. 

Weston is 2 Miles of, and is in Stafordshire." 

. The bit of very early carved stone now to be seen in the 



• Vide Uislury of Iladdon. f Ordered by K. Henry VIII., and begun in 1538, 

H 



5P Vernons and Talbots— Tomb 15. 

Castle yard is probably the only remnant of the " olde Castel " 
ot the De Belmeises, La Zouches, and Pembruges. 



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Lady Anne's effigy is on the right of her husband ; she- 
Wears a long dress, has a necklet, a mantle, with cord and. 



Vernons and Talbots — Tomb 15. 51 

tassels, and tresses extandino: below the shoulders. At her 
feet, two small hounds hold the hem of her gown. She was 
daughter of the second Earl of Shrewsbury, who was a Knight 
of the Garter, and Lord Treasurer of Ireland durhi^:; the admin- 
istration of his father (Talbot, the " Great Earl "), and subse- 
quently Lord Treasurer of England. He fell at the battle of 
Northampton, 1460, fighting under the Red Rose. Lady 
Anne's father and grandfather are immortalised by ShaJcespeara 
in his Kiaj Henry VI., where the reader finds some heroic 
yet tender passages addressed by father and son to each 
other 

Talbot CFirst Eirl) : Upon my b'essinp I comtnand thee e,o. 
John Talbot (his son) :' To fight I wii;. oat not to fly the ioe. 



John : No more can I be sever'd frcn your side, 

Than can yourselt yourse'.f in twain divide: 

Stay, po, do what yo^ will, the Mag do 1, 

For live I will not if m • fuher die. 
Talbot : Then here I take rnv leave of tliee.l'tair son. 

Born to eclipse t'ly life this after.ioon. 

Come siiie by side togetner live and die ; 

And soul wita soul fro.n F-ance to heaven fly. 

A Vernon is also introduced in the play, whose zeal for the 
White Rose faction causes him some trouble. 

Of Lady Anne's brothers, one, Sir Gilbert Talbot, was High 
Shejiff" of Shropshire, temp. Richard HL, a staunch adherent 
of the Earl of Richmond at Bos worth, the right wing of whose 
army he commanded. For his valiant conduct he received the 
honour of knig-hihood and the manor of Grafton and other 
lands. His son was Sir John Talbot of Albrighton. Leland 
says of him : " Syr John Talbot that married Troutbeks Heire 
"dwei'eih in a goodly Logge on \ht hy Toppe of Albrighton 
** parke. It '.s in the very Egge of Shropshire 3 miles from 
"Tu.ige " 

Of Sir Henry's numerous family, three sons are commemo. 
rated at Tong, viz : — Monument No. 16, to Arthur, fifth and 
your.gest son. Monument No. 17, to Richard Vernon, Esquire, 
of KadJon and long, tlie eldest son. Monument No. 18, to 
Humphrey, third son, who married the younger daughter of 



52 Vernons and Talbots — Tomb 15. 

John Ludlow, Esq., and co-heiress of Sir Richard de Ludlow, 
Knight, and thus founded the Vernon family "of Hodnet." 
The second son, Thomas, married (1497) the elder grand- 
daughter and co-heiress of Sir Richard Ludlow, founding the 
Vernon family "of Stokesay." In 1509 he, as Sheriff of 
Shropshire, had a dispute with the burgesses of Shrewsbury, 
which lasted several years. A daughter Margaret seems to 
have been Abbess of West Mailing 151 1.* Sir John, the 
fourth son, founded the Vernons " of Sudbury." He was one 
of the King's Council in Wales, and Custos Rotulorum of Co. 
Derby (died at Harlaston, Co. Stafford, 1542) ; while a 
daughter Mary married Thomas Newport, Esq., an ancestor 
of the Earls of Bradford. 

* See Account of White Ladies and Black Ladies. 








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•t] artibiU) ajaon traintetKi tsiitibi'p'ip omit 
ftf uifaiiBufca¥iiy'ftT€Otoi*otf 311 port lY 





Sir Arthur Vernon (see page 55). 



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vjv ;<!> y|> ^i> ^|> y|v ^;v y|> y;v ^^v '^iv ^i^^i> ^iV 

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GY^ GrS GY5 GYD G> o G^,^ G'/d 3^^ G^/c) GYO G"ro Gvt^ GYO G^rd 
>t> <T> iS*>l^V JSt> '^V AtA At> ^t'*' At> =Kt>^ »<♦> A^A ^V 
^l^> ^A> ^4^ ^-f^ ^A'* ^♦^^ '^i^ ^i'^ ^i> ^1^ '^i^^ '^jv '<!> ^K 




" Some part of the edifice had bten a baronial chapel, and here were affigiea of warriors 
Stretched upon their beds of stone."— OW Curwsity Hhop. 

While quite as polite were the squires and the knights, 
In their helmets and hauberks and cast-iron tights. 

Iriijoldtbg. 

HE VERNON CHANTRY or GOLDEN 
CHAPEL is entered by a rich ogee door with 
finial, the crocket-mound spring-ing from 
labelled heads. This beautiful chantry, called 
the Golden Chapel from its once costly orna- 
mentation, is of the latest period of the Gothic, and was 
described by Walter White as an "exquisite little appendage 
to the south aisle, which shows what adepts the masons of 
the i6th century were in the art of fan-vaulting," the roof 
being of elaborate stone-work, once entirely gilt. From the 
traceried vaulting hang three graceful pendants, two termin- 
ating in foliage, and one in neat shields with arms. The walls 
were originally decorated in distemper, traces of red and 
brown colouring being still visible 

On the east wall, in 1757, there was a crucifix in colours, 
and beneath it the following INSCRIPTION in Gothic letters 
yet visible . — 

" l^rag far tijc SoIdIc of Sor "^ixk Fcrn0n ^^ttytjl^t ant( Banie 
3lnne fjus Myfc irif)ocf) Sur fjcric iw tfjc gear || oEf olare 3Lari) 
m ccccc ifa matJE anli ffabjuligti tljas cfjapell anti cljaluntrD ant tfje 
saoti S>ix |i]arru II ticpartoti tljc xi'ii l3au of xlproll in tljc mxt a iofae 
eaut) anil of uoure Cl)aritc for tijc soil of ^I'r Srtljur || Fcrnon 
Ptgst gone of tfje aboiic sauti .Sir Ijcriu on in{}os sollggi iijs ijube 
mcrcg 3lmen. 



Ij These divide the Imes. 



54 Sir Arthur Verxon Priest-Warden of Tong. 

There seems to be no doubt that the noble founder was 
familiarly known as "Sir Harry" or " Herry, " Au delay' i 
poem affords illustrations of the use of this word in Shropshire 
in the 15th century : 

" On him schal fal the prophec6 
That hath ben sayd of kyng Herr6." 

" Fore hit is mad of kyng Herre." 

16. Good half-length figure of SIR ARTHUR VERNON, 

priest of Tong, in the attitude of preaching, on the west wall 
of the Golden Chapel ; the figure is upright and of stone, 
beneath a gilt canopy, and rests upon a bracket with 
pediment apart from the wall. " A monument as singular as 
it is curious." There is a book in the right hand, the fingers 
of left hand being raised as if to give emphasis to his reading. 
Beneath the crockets of the canopy are four shields of arms, 
viz.: — I. Barry of six (Pembruge). 2. Chequy, the squares 
raised and depressed alternately (? Reymes) : the revenues of 
the Abbey at Rheims had been conferred on Tong College by 
King Henry VI. by virtue of an Act passed at L,eicester, of 
which Sir Richard Vernon was Speaker. 3. Pretty (Vernon) 
impaling a lion rampant, with a bordure git,. (Talbot). 4. 
Fretty (Vernon). 

Sir Arthur Vernon was fifth son of Sir Henry Vernon, A.M. 
of the University of Cambridge, and sometime Rector of 
Whitchurch, co. Salop. Died 15 Aug., 15 17. Buried at 
Tong. 

Mr. Petit says, '• the features and expression are remarkably 
good, and there is a perceptive resemblance to his father, so 
probably they are faithful portraits." 

The prefix Sir or Den, meaning Dean, held by priests 
before the Reformation chiefly. Mr. Cooper, of Stourbridge, 
has found his will, of which the following is the commence- 
ment : — 

In the name of God Amen In the yere of our Lord 1515 the last day of 
S^tembre in the yere of King Henry VIII. the eighth I. Sir Arthur > 






The Kind's Champlfa I 





<yj^ 



/ra/n y/7 oJJ f"''>i ■ 



[ King' Char]g& rnakmj hi* eic»pi,jtten<^d b_yS Ptn</ereh J''<^ F Yatu J 



Sir Arthur Vernon Priest-Warden of Tong. 5,5; 

Vernon Prest hole of mynde and of body being in clene lyfe at the making 
of this my last Will and in good prosperite often tymes thinking of this- 
wreched lyfe seying by circute of daies and levolucion of yeres the day of 
deth to fall which nothing lyving may passe therefor of this helefuU mynde 
thus I make my testament &c [Proved at Canterbury], 

Mr. Cole, writing in 1757, says : — 

"Time was so pressing [the clock was striking seven, and he had to go- 
seven miles to Newport that evening], yet I could not resist the Temptatioa 
of one [monument] which lies in the very midst of this Neat Chapel, out of 
regard to beloved Almi Mater, and was only half concerned that I could not 
stay long enough to take a sketch of it, as on the Grey Marble [/.c, on the 
floor] was the F'igure of a Priest shorn, and in his proper Master of Arts 
habit as worn at that time, which was different from what it is at present,. 
being more like a Batchelor of Arts with large open Sleeves ; over his Head 
was the Cup and wafer, and at the four corners his coat of arms, viz. : at 
two corners single for Vernon, viz.. fretty ; and at the 2 others Vernon and 
five others, among which I thought I observed one of Trumpington, with 
two trumpets reversed, etc.* At his feet was this inscription all in brass r 

' ©rate spfcialrtcr pro Sia ©ni Slrfturi Fcrnon En ^rtiliusr 
iHagrt ©tnt'b'sitatts (fTantifirigt'f qui ohiit ib Wiz aiigusti SI" Wn^ 
mcaccx'aii Cujs ^ie p'ptctctur ©cu3.' 

" On tlie Floor, just at the foot of his Gravestone, and on the only step in. 
the Chapel, lies the Old Altar Stone [of the chapel] as part of the Pave- 
ment of it." 

None of these were to be seen until 1892, when on removing 
the modern woodwork the objects so minutely described by 
Mr. Cole became again visible. On restoring the Chapel in 
i892,there was revealed the grey marble slab, 8ft. 5in. X4ft. lin.,. 
and Sir Arthur Vernon's brass memorial, with inscription in 
centre, very perfect and complete ; also four shields of arms 
in the corners of it, viz. : — Fretty (left-hand top corner), 
Fretty (right-hand bottom corner). Quarterly of Six : Vernon, 
Camville, Ludlow, Pembruge, Vernon, Pype. Quarterly of 
Six : the same. And over his head the Paten sunk in the 
Chalice, and 3Sh^- ^^ brass. The old altar stone, 10 inches 
deep, was found as part of the pavement. It has 5 Maltese 
crosses cut in it, viz. : one at each corner, and a larger one in 

• Error for Pype. 



56 Sir Arthur Vernon Priest-Warden of Tong. 

the centre, 5 inches across ; also two other tiny crosses cut in, 
like the oylets of the Norman castles. There were indications 
that this altar was originally against the east wall of the 
chantry, so it has been fixed again there ; size, 6ft. long, 
aft. yin. wide. 

A piscina, 14^ in. high x 14^ in. wide, in the south wall 
of this chantry is now seen, though shorn of the projecting 
mouldings which had been previously cut off; on each side of 
this piscina have been found Bishop's marks of consecration 
upon the walls, viz. : a Maltese cross within a circle 14^ 
inches in diameter, all in colour. A similar consecration mark 
is on the north wall of the Chapel, and one on the south wall 
near the shaft of the vaulting. 

The shafts which originally continued from the fan-vaulting 
of the roof to the floor, had also been cut, and are now restored 
with greatly-improved effect. The old chantry ignoring v.'as 
found to be slightly raised in the south-west angle and old 
encaustic tiles were found, four forming a pattern, of which 
some similar ones were once seen at White Ladies Abbey. 
One set of four tiles had each a lion rampant. Another tile 
had a yellow shield, and two cross] ets in the lower part. 
Another had a Maltese cross in the lirst quarter, and a very 
curious eld tile removed from the chancel floor, and now fixed 
here, is of the Lamb. The stall end and angle-piece of the 
old bench to fit this raised floor was found in another part of 
the Church ; it has now been rcfixed. It is probable that this 
was the high " pew " or seat for the distinguished worshippers, 
including the Founder of the Chantry, Sir Harry Vernon, 
and possibly of his princely ward. Prince Arthur Tudor, Prince 
of Wales, first husband of Queen Katharine. The Historical 
Manuscripts Commission has recently discovered among the 
Duke of Rutland's MSS. a programme by the King's command 
drawn out, directing how and with what sumptuous array Sir 



Richard and Margaret (Dymmok) Vernon — No 17. 57 

Harry Vernon and others were to conduct the King's 
" daughter " Margaret to Scotland for her marriage. A hole, 
formerly an x\umbry, i5in. high and loin. wide, was found in 
the east wall, which contained nothing but a large fungus. 

Of the roof of the Chapel, the following notes occur : — 

Spaces between fans have circles, to which are attached pendants by ribs 
of the same moulding with those of the second order in the fans themselves. 

Central fan on north side, instead of being supported by shaft (which 
would have interfered with the Vernon tomb), springs also from a pendant, 
which is enriched with mouldings and foliage. 

H Over the door into the Chapel is a tablet of white 
marble, surmounted by an urn and bearing a brass plate with 
the following inscription :— 

Near this Place 
Is Interred the Body of 

Daniel Higgs Gent : 
Steward to his Grace of 

KINGSTON 
Who departed this Life 
Oct. I. 1758 
In the 60th Year of his age 



Few so Honest 
None more so. 

H And on the south-west pillar of the tower is a tablet — 

Near this place lieth the body of Maria Higgs, Daughter of Danl. and 
Mary Higgs of Tong Castle who departed this life the 9th of May 1748 
Aged 19 Months & Ten days. 

17. Alabaster ALTAR-TOMB of elegant workmanship 
with recumbent effigiesof RICHARD VERNON, ESQUIRE, 
and MARGARET, his wife. Mr. Petit, in speaking of the 
traceried panelling of the Altar which belonged to this very 
richly-sculptured tomb, says " The front and sides are 
elaborately worked with open arches, pinnacles, and crocketed 
canopies with several figures. The round and elliptical arch 
are freely used, and other marks show it to be of the latest 
period. The following is the inscription ; — 



58 Richard and Margaret (Dymmok) Vernon — No. 17. 

p?ic jarent corpora 3rvtcnvlii Fcrnon be fL^atition 2l-:mtgr-t et 
iiHav^nrctc xiroris filt'c Ixobcrti Dgmmok fflf.itis qui Ijabumint 
Eiituiu (!9c0"gium Fc-non '^iii quiticin lAifarlius obiit in Ftgilia 
^ssuinptanis sanrtc fHartc Ftrgmis %\na tmi iW.lzQima qo tcctma 
gcpttmo E (St liirta ifla.-garcta obii't .... tie mmsis 
. . . . Snno tini iBillcstnia qui'ngcntcstmo . . . Quorum, 
^nimabus omnipotens pvopicirtu; lies. ^mcn. 

TRANSLATION. 

Here lie the bodies of Richard Vernon of Haddon, Esquire, and Margaret 
his wife, daughter of Sir Robert Dymmok, Knight, who had issue George 
Vernon. Richard indeed died on the * Vigil of the Assumption of Saint 
Mary the Virgin, in the year of our Lord, 1517, and the said Margaret died 

day of the month .... in the year of our Lord 15 — ,on 

whose souls may God Almighty be merciful. Amen. 

The pannelling on the north side and two ends of this 
monument were used for many years to form the altar (No. 
25), but were restored to this tomb in 1892. The vault under 
this tomb is now filled up with concrete. It is arched with 
stone, and appears to have held two coffins only, probably 
wooden ones which had perished. 

The effigies are somewhat small but finely executed. 

The male one is in plate armour and wears the gilt collar of 
the SS. His helmet (like Sir Harry's), has the Vernon crest, 
a boar's head (lying to the south), with mantlet and armour 
very similar to Sir Harry's ; an ornamented sword-hilt, 
dagger, and gauntlets lying at the side ; his feet rest against 
the double tail of a lion. 

He appears to have died while yet young, soon after his 
father, so probably was not knighted {vide the inscription) ; we 
may imagine him, while we stand by this tomb, a candidate 
for knighthood passing the " Vigil of Arms " (pictured in Mrs. 
Hemans' poem), the consummation of which honour was 
subsequently hindered by some adverse fate. 

«Aug. g. 14 Hen. VIII. 



Vernon Tomb, No. 17. 59 

A sounding step was heard b^- night 

In a church vvliere the mi;jbt ■ slept, 
As a mail-clad youth, till morning's light, 

Midst the tombs liis vigils kept. 

He walked in dreams of power and fame, 

He lifted a proud bris;ht eve, 
For tht; hours were few that withheld his name 

From the roll of chivalry. 

The candidate for kni,;^hthood was under the necessity of keeping watch 
the night before his inauguration, in a church, and completely armed. 
This was called the " Vigil of Arms." 

His son and successor was then nine years old, viz , Sir 
George Vernon/'' whose tomb is at Bakewell Church. 

His lady on the right has a hood pointed over the forehead 
and hanging down over the shoulders in short strips. Angels 
(now headless), support her pillow, and two small hounds at 
the feet hold her dress in their mouths. There is a circlet at 
the waist with leaf pattern, and hanging obliquely. 

The south side only has shields of arms, and they are.: — 
I. Gu. a fesse dauncettee or, between 6 crosslets. 2. Arg. 
fretty sa. (Vernon). 3. Az. two pipes or, between 6 cross 
crosslets (Pype). 4. Arg. fretty sa. (Vernc^nj. 

Sir Robert Dymmok was king's '' champion " at the coro- 
nations of Richard HI. (1483), Henry VU., and Henry VHI., 
an office of great antiquity, derived from the celebrated house 
of Maimion with the feudal manor of Scrivelsby, co. Lincoln, 
to which the championship is attached. He was a military 
man, and one of the principal commanders at the siege of 
Tournay, where, after the surrender of the city, he wjs con- 
stituted king's treasurer. The "championship" has been 
held by the Dymmok family upwards of 400 years. 

The Champion claims on Coronation Day one of the king's great coursers 
with a saddle, harness, and trappings of cloth of g-'Id, and one of the best 
suits of armour with cases of cloth of gold, and all such other things apper- 

* In the side aisle there [Bakewell Church] is a table monument with eflifjies of a 
knight, and a ladv on each side, and this inscription . " Here i eth Sir George Vernon, 

dece ised the . . . . . da . of and D une Margaret his wyffe, ilouKhter 

tobir G Ibert Ta\lebois, decc;ised the .... du of ij, iind also Uatne 

Mawde his wyffedoughtcr to Sir Ralph Langcfofot, deceased the . . . . duy.of . . . 
waose souis God pardon." AntiquaHan Hepertory. 



6o Thb King's Champion — Dymmok. 

taininp to the sovereign's body, as the sovereign ought to have if personally 
going into mortal battle. 

On Coronation Day, he, mounted on the said courser, trapped and furnished 
as aforesaid, and accompanied by the Constable and Marshal of England, 
&c., a trumpet sounding before him, rides into the banqueting hall where 
the king sits at dinner, and in his presence and the presence of all the people, 
the herald makes three proclamations to the effect that if any do deny that 
the sovereign is the rightful heir to the crown, here is his Champiun ready 
by his body to assert and maintain that he lyes like a false traitor, and ia 
that quarrel to adventure his life. Thereupon the champion throws down 
his gauntlet as a challenge, and if none pick it up accepting the challenge, 
the sovereign drinks to his champion in a gold cup with a cover, which cup 
the champion has also as a fee for his services. 

At Henry IV's coronation. Sir — Dymoke expected an adversary. When 
dinner was half over, he entered the hall armed, mounted on a handsome 
steed, richly barded with crimson housings. He was armed for wager of 
battle^ and was preceded by another knight bearing his lance ; he himself 
had his drawn sword in one hand, and his naked dagger by his side. 

The canting motto, " Pro Rege Dimico " (I fight for the king), is 
singularly appropriate to the office of this family. 

The scene depicted in Sir. W. Scott's poem, " Marmion," of 
the approach and entry of Lord Marmion, the Champion, into 
Norham Castle, may well be imagined as happening at Tong 
Castle. Sir Kobert Dymmok was Champion at the time in 
which the story is placed, and his daughter, Margaret Vernon, 
was the Lady of Tong Castle. 

The lines so vividly describe the mode of procedure from 
place to place of a great knight, his retinue, his steed, and 
habiliments, as well as the occupants of a castle, at the date 
to which these Vernon monuments refer us, that a rather long 
quotation may be given. 

The sun was setting on the castle when 

The battled towers, the donjon keep. The scouts had parted on their search, 
The loophole grates where captives weed. The castle gates were barred ; 

1 lit liam ing walls that round it sweep, Above the gloomy portal arch, 

In }c:llow lustre shone. Timing his footsteps to a march. 
The warriois on the turrets high. The warder kept his ^uard ; 

Moving athwart the evening sky, Low humming, as he paced along 

Seemed forms of giaut height. bome aucieut Border gathering song. 



The King's Champion. 



A distant trampling sound he hears ; 
He looks abroad, and snon appears 
O'er Horncliffe Hill a plump of spears, 

Beneath a pennon gay ; 
A horseman, darting fro a the crowd, 
Like lightning from a summer cloud, 
Spurs on his n'ettled courser proud, 

Before the dark array. 
Beneath the sable palisade 
That closed the castle barricade, 

His bugle-horn he blew ; 
The warder hastened from the wall, 
And warned the captain in the hall. 

For well the blast he knew ; 
And joyfully that knight did call. 
To sewer, squire, and seneschal. 



Then to the castle's lower ward 

Sped forty yeoman tall. 
The iron-studded gates unbarred, 
Raised the portcullis' ponderous guard, 
The lofty palisade unsparred. 

And let the drawbridge fall. 



Along the bridge Lord Marmion rode. 
Proudly his red-roan charger trode, 
His helm hung at the saddlebow ; 
Well by his visage you might know 
He was a stalworth knight, and keen, 
And had in many a battle been ; 
The scar on his brown cheek revealed 
A token true of Bosworth field ; [limb, 
His square-turnedjoints.and strength of 
Showed him no carpet knight so trim, 
But in close fight a champion grim. 
In camps a leader sage. 



Well was he armed from head to heel. 

In mail and plate of Milan steel ; 

But his strong helm, of mighty cost, 

Was all with burnished gold embossed ; 

Amid the plumage of the crest, 

A falcon hovered on her nest. 

With wings outspread, and forward breast : 

E'en suf h a falron, on his shield, 

Soared sable in an azure field : 

The golden legend bore aright, 

©bo checks at mc, to bcut^ is big^t. 

Behind him rode two gallant squires, 
Of noble name and knightly sires : 
They burned the gilded spurs to claim ; 
For well could each a war-horse tame. 

Four men-at-arms came at their backs, 

With halbert, bill, and battle-axe : 

They bore Lord Marmion's lance so strong, 

And led his sumpter mules along, 

And ambling paltry, whrn at need 

Him listed ease his battle steed. 

The last and trustiest of the four, 

On high his forky pennon bore. 

Last, twenty yeoman, two and two, 
In hosen black, and jerkins blue. 
With falcons broidered on each breast, 
Attended on their lord's behest : 
Each, chosen for an archer good, 
Knew hunting-craft by lake or wood ; 
Each one a six-foot bow could bend. 
And far a clothyard shaft could send ; 
Each held a boar-spear tough and strong, 
And at their belts their quivers rung ; 
Their dusty palfreys, and array, 
Showed they had inarched a weary way. 



Sir Edward Dymoke (brother of Dame Margaret Vernon) 
officiated as Champion at the Coronations of Edward VI., 
Queen Mary, and Queen Elizabeth. At the latter, he " came 
riding into the hall as she sat at dinner in ' faire complete 
armour,' mounted on a beautiful courser, richly trapped in 
cloth of gold, and cast down his gauntlet, offering to fight with 
any one that should deny her to be the lawful Queen of the 
realm." 

ORGAN. 

The ORGAN is a modern one, purchased in 1877, with 
funds the proceeds of some concerts kindly given by Mrs, 
Hartley and her family at Tong Castle, and voluntary con- 
tributions. It was built by J. H. Walker & Sons, of London. 

The following accounts of the ANCIENT ORGAN, as seen 
at the end of the last century, will be read with interest : — 



62 Organ. 

In 1763 : — '• In a sort of Vestry close to the Chancel among 
Cher old Lumber, is the very same old Organ-case and Bellows 
belonging to it which was in use before the dissolution of the 
Cjllege, a piece of antiquity hardly to be parallelled in the 
whole Kingdom. The Organ was small, but the case of Oak is 
\^Ty neat, and of a pretty Gothic Fashion." 

** In the Parish Church of Tong (once collegiate), the 
gallery, with the entrance to the choir, is yet unremoved, and 
the organ case remains, with little more room than was 
sufficient for the player. This organ, to judge by what is left 
of it, seems the most ancient of the sort that has come under 
my observation, which for the entertainment of your musico- 
mechanical readers, I will describe. And first the case. It is 
in the true Gothic, with pinnacles and finials after the manner 
of ancient tabernacles, and very like the one just finished and 
erected in Lichfield Cathedral, only on a smaller scale. Now, 
as to the other parts. The keys are gone, but the sounding 
board remains, and is pierced for one set of pipes only, seem- 
ingly an open diapason, whether of metal or wood could not be 
determined, there not being a single pipe left ; from the 
apparent position and distance I presume they were of metal. 
I perceived no registers or slides for other stops, and observed 
the compass to be very short — only to A in alto for the treble 
part, and short octaves in the lower bass ; therefore, not more 
than forty tones on the whole. The bellows were preserved in 
a lumber-room near the vestry, double winded without folds, 
and made with thick hides, like unto a smith's or forge bellows. 
Thus simply constructed there could be no transmutation of 
sounding pipes, nor that variation to be produced from a 
mixture of different flute and reed pipes, which are made use 
of in the modern organ. An instrumental machine, whose im- 
provement has been the work of more than one century ; at 
first very plain and uncompounded, like the generality of 
mechanical inventions. And this remark will serve to establish^ 



Vernon of Hodnet and Alice (Ludlow) 1513. 63 

in some measure, the antiquity of the Tong Organ." — Quoted 
from Gentleimti's Zlagazine, 1789, — from Shreds and Patches, 
Shrewshury Journal, Nov. 28th, 1883. 

18. Pass behind the organ to a fine TOMB of stone with 
an INCISED SLAB of alabaster. A soldier (on the right) and 
his lady (on tha left) are represented in black lines inlaid, well 
defined, except the heads. At the east end of the tomb are the 
following words in English : — 

. . tiao of ^luijust Kii tf)c grrc of oiirc ILortt m ccccc xxi 

At the man's feet is a dog with collar and link, short ears, 
and long tail. At the side of the lady's head is a wingless 
creature, not a griffin, as has been suggested, but a lion ram- 
pant (for Ludlow). 

This coat, with the entrj' and date of decease given below, 
is doubtless sufficient to warrant the appropriation of the 
tomb to HUMPHREY VERNON, of Hodnet, and of Hounds- 
hill, 2nd son of Sir Harry Vernon (No. 15) and his wife 
ALICE, younger daughter and co-heir of John LUDLOW, Esq. 

He died August, 1542 or 1545/' and was buried with his fore- 
fathers at Tong. His funeral is the subject of a curious entry 
in the Hodnet Churchwardens' accounts for the year 1542 : — 

Item.— 'Rec. at ye burryall of ye Ri^ht worshypfuU Hon. frye Vernon 
being burryed at Tong, Lyghtes II. 

Alice his wife died 28th August, 1531.* The part of the 
inscription, as above, is much crowded ; the last x is at the 
corner of the tomb, and it is possible that the final figure i may 
have been worn off, or perhaps never was put on. Alice was 
daughter of John Ludlow, and granddaughter of Sir Richard 
Ludlow, Kt., who married Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Richard 
Grey, Lord Powys. 

Humphrey left two sons, George, of Hodnet, and Thomas, of 
Houndshill. His great-grandson, Edward Vernon, of Hounds- 

* History qf Haddon BoUl. 



64 Stanley Tomb No. 19. 

hill, married his brother John's great-j;randdaughter and 
heiress, and thus the Houndshill and Sudbury inheritances of 
the Vernons became united in the persons of Edward and 
Margaret Vernon. Their son Henry was an ancestor of the 
present Lord Vernon. -f- 

J9. Return to the south transept, where is now the 
STANLEY TOMB, a fine monument in the Italian style, 
surpassed by few in Westminster Abbey. 

It bears three effigies in very good preservation. Two in the 
upper or table part, — which is supported by eight pillars of 
marble — commemorate MARGARET, daughter and co-heir of 
Sir George VERNON, and her husband, SIR THOMAS 
STANLEY, second son of Edward, third Earl of Derby, and 
one in the lower part, beneath the table, SIR EDWARD 
STANLEY, Knight of the Bath, their son, Lord of Harlaston, 
and of Tong Castle, and of Eynsham. Dame Margaret's 
effigy is on the right, and her husband's on the left. The 
coffin containing Sir Thomas Stanley's remains is in the 
Stanley vault beneath the chancel, and records the date of 
his death in 1576. This vault, now filled up with concrete, 
was found near the altar during the restoration of the Church 
in 1892, and contained three old-shaped lead coffins, and a 
small lead box, some of which had been cut open and rifled 
long years ago. One has an inscription plate of lead, about 
8 inches by 7, with the following small quarter-inch letters 
cut in : — 

htc j a get thomas stanl miles filvs secvndvs 
edovadi comitvs darbi mariivs margarete filie 
et vne heretvm georgii vernon milites qvi 
obiit vicessimo primo die decembri anno regni 
reg/ne elizabeth qvingentessimo septvagessimo 
serto anime misereatvr devs amen per me 
joa:n ne m lath o m vm . 

1 1 am indebted to Mr. Vaughan for conecting the statement in the first edition to 
the elfect th a the Hoanet and Stokesay inheritances became united in the person of 
llenry Vernon, vrhich was not so. 



Thomas Stanley and Margaret (Vernon) No. 19. 65 

The following is a translation : — " Here lies Sir Thomas 
Stanley, Knight, second son of Edward, Earl of Derby, 
husband of Margaret, daughter and co-heir of George Vernon, 
Knight, who died on the 21st December, in the 19th year of 
the reign of Queen Elizabeth, a.d., 1576. God have mercy 
on his soul. Amen. By me, John Lathom." 

Sir Edward Stanley was called by the Puritans an " arrant 
and dangerous Papist," and died in 1632. He sold Tong to 
Sir Thomas Harries in 1623. 

The tomb formerly occupied a position at the north side of 
the altar. '* A monstrous large canopy tomb stands 
jostling the altar, and before it, placed there, as I should 
guess, in the indecent reign of Queen Elizabeth," Mr. Cole 
says, 1757. It was removed, as I am informed, by Mr. 
Durant, a late owner of Tong, to make room for the Durant 
monuments. The late Mr. Street contemplated restoring it 
to its original position, as described in the Gentleynans 
Magazine, 1763 ; but this was impossible, and Mr. Christian 
wisely contented himself with advising its retention on the 
present site, simply repairing and re-erecting it parallel with 
and adjacent to the other tombs of the Vernon family. 

Sir Thomas is in heavy plate armour, richly ornamented. 
Both hands are on his breast. His helmet plumes are ostrich 
feathers. All the effigies recline upon quilted straw-like beds 
of stone. 

Dame Margaret is in black ; her head rests upon an 
embroidered pillow ; the features are delicately cut ; the hair is 
brushed back off the forehead ; she wears a cap with gold 
circlet, and a muslin gorget, and narrow Elizabethan collar. 

Sir Edward is in plate armour, with right hand on his 
breast, the left on his sword hilt. 
J 



66 Stanley Tomb, No. 19. 

The square tapering columns of black marble are now 
placed upon the tomb ; formerly they were apart from it, and 
each was surmounted by a white marble figure. The figures 
are all damaged, and are lying loose about the tomb. 

On the arches which carry the upper structure of the tomb 
and around the sides are the numerous shields of arms 
quartered by the Stanleys and Vernons. 

The eight square alabaster columns supporting the table 
are carved with elegant narrow ribbon decoration, into which 
are introduced little centres of compasses, spears, quivers^ 
books, censers, torches, drums, lances, body-armour, helmets, 
some erect and some inverted. Similar emblems and ribbon 
decoration were to be seen on the arch of the Goldsmiths, 
erected by the Emperor Severus. The 32 panels which form 
the ceiling of the table have been enriched with rosettes or 
roses, but all are missing. The 8 circular columns, which 
stand beside each square pillar, are of rich marble, four being 
black, and four, the centre ones, red. 

The present state of the tomb scarcely comes up to the term 
** magnificent " applied to it by more than one writer, but let us 
bear in mind that it is now shorn of much that formerly lent 
elegance to it. The original colouring of the figures repre- 
senting the deceased as they lived (of which the black hair of 
Sir Edward is an example), the polished marbles and gilding, 
the shields of arms, and other embellishments, with the tall 
columns bearing angels — the whole surmounted by a rich 
canopy — would give an incomparably different effect from 
that presented at the present time, though it still exhibits 
much rich work. 

The shields of arms upon the tomb appear to be as follow 
but the colours are very indistinct ; — 



Stanley Tomb, No. 19. 67 

1. Sable on a bend azure, three stags' heads cabossed or [Stanley]. 

2. Stanley 1 impaling a fret sable [Vernon] . 

3. Or, a cross engrailed sable [ ]. 

4. Azure, a fret «a6Ze, a canton gules [Vernon]. 

5 a fesse chequy or and az, between 3 escallop shells [ ]. 

6. Gone. 

7. Gules, three legs conjoined in armour proper, garnished and spurred 
or [Isle of Man]. 

8. Azure, three lions passant sable [Ludlow]. 

9. like I. 

10. Sable, a lion rampant guardant gules, collared or [ ]. 

11. Cheeky azure and or [Warren ?]. 

12. Azure a saltier yules, on a chiei gules, 3 escallops tfr [ ]. 

13. Barry of six or and azure [Pembruge]. 

14. Argent a lion rampant sable langued gules [Ludlow]. 

15. Or, on a chief dancettee azure, 3 bezants [Latham]. 

16. Azure, two pipes between 7 crosslets or [Pype]. 

17. Azure, a fret A-aftZe [Vernon]. 

18. Gules, a canton sinister and base azure [ ]. 

19. Gules, two lions passant in pale, or [Strange]. 

20. Gules, a cinqueioil or. within 6 cross crosslets or [Umfreville ?]. 

A. Stanley, impaling or a. lion rampant [ J . 

C. Or a lion rampant sable langued gules (?) [ ]. 

B. Or a lion rampant sable langued guleii [ ]. 

D. Stanley (?) 

E. Ditto (?) 

F. Vernon (?) 

On the north side of the monument is this INSCRIPTION 
in gilt lettering (not cut in) : — 

THOMAS STANDLEY SECOND SOONE OF EDWARD EARL OF DERBIE 
LORD STANLEY AND STRANGE DESENDED FROM THE FAMILIE OF THE 
STANLEYS MARRIED MARGARET VERNON ONE OF THE DAVGHTERS 
AND COHAIRS OF SH< GEORGE VERNON OF NETHER HADDON IN THE 
CO\NTlE OF DERBIE KNIGHTE 

BY WHOM HE HAD ISSVE TWO SOONS HENRI AND EDW : HENRY DIED 
AN INFANT Sc E SVRVIVED TO WHOM THOS LORDSHIPES DESENDED 
AND MARRIED THE LA. LVCIE PERCIE SECOND DAVGHTER TO THOMAS 
EARL OF NORTHVMBELAND BY HER HE HAD ISSVE 7 DAVGHTERS AND 
ONE SOONE SHEE AND HER 4 DAVGHTERS 18 ARABELLA 16 MARIE 15 
ALIS AND 13 FKISCILLA 



68 Shakespearian Inscription, Tomb 19. 

are interred vnder a monniment in ye chvrche of waltham 
in ye covntie of essex. thomas his soone died in his infancie 
and is bvried in ye parishe chvrche of winwicke in ye covntie 
of lanca: ye other three petronella francis and venesie are 
yet livinge. 

At the head of the tomb on west end are these " following 
verses made by William Shakespeare, the late famous 
tragedian," says Sir Wm. Dugdale. 

ASK WHO LYES HEARE BVT DO NOT WEEP; 

HE IS NOT DEAD, HE DOOTH BVT SLEEP. 

THIS STONY REGISTER IS FOR HIS BONES 

HIS FAME IS MORE PERPETVALL THEN THEISE STONES; 

AND HIS OWN GOODNESS WT HIMSELF BEING GON 

SHALL LYVE WHEN EARTHLIE MONVMENT IS NONE. 

And at the foot of the tomb {i.e., the east end now) these 
interesting and oft-quoted lines ; — 

NOT MONVMENTALL STONE PRESERVES OVR FAME 

NOR SKY ASPYRING PIRAMIDS OVR NAME 

THE MEMORY OF HIM FOR WHOM THIS STANDS 

SHALL OVTLYVE MARBL AND DEFACERS' HANDS 

WHEN ALL TO TYME'S CONSVMPTION SHALL BE GEAVEN 

STANDLY FOR WHOM THIS STANDS SHALL STAND IN HEAVEN. 

Underneath was the following line not now to be seen : — 

Beati mortui qui in Domino moriuntur. 
(Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord) 

Mr. Eyton, in his Antig^uities of Shropshire, writes : — •' Sir 
William Dugdale says positively that this epitaph, * Not 
monumental stone,' &c., was written by Shakespeare," and 
that " the opposite or east end {i.e., the foot) of the tomb 
exhibits six lines which I cannot help thinking to have been in 
imitation of them by an inferior poet. Possibly they are in 
praise of Sir Edward, son of Sir Tliomas, for they speak of 
one who ' lyes here.' Now Sir Thomas is said to have been 
buried at Walthamstow." This is an erroneous conclusion : 
Sir Thomas is buried at Tong, and he and his wife lie in the 
same vault. It has been remarked that if Shakespeare wrote 
the epitaph at the date upon the tomb^ — (I see no date upon 
the tomb now) — he could only have been 12 years old, but 
possibly this tomb, like many others, was not erected for 



Stanley Tomb — Shakespearian Inscription^ 69 

many years after Sir Thomas's decease, and probably not 
until some time after Sir Edward's decease. May not its 
beauty of design suggest the artistic taste of Sir Kenelm 
Digby, Sir Edward's son-in-law ? 

Sir Edward Stanley was father of the famous beauty 
Venetia Lady Digby, about whom Johnson wrote a long 
poem. Her name is mentioned as " yet living " on the 
Stanley tomb at Tong. 

The date of the tomb, and so probably of the inscription 
also, can be readily traced to a very definite period thus : 
Venetia Digby was born 1600 and died in 1633, therefore the 
inscription was put on between those dates. Sir Edward 
Stanley died, I believe, in 1632. ^ 

I have before suggested that this handsome monument was 
probably due to the refined taste of the husband of Venetia, 
Sir Kenelm Digby, the "Ornament of England," as he was 
called. It would seem, therefore, that in attributing the 
epitaph to Shakespeare's early youth, 12 years, as one writer 
has done, he may have been guided by its similarity to his 
sonnets, which, though written in early youth, were not pub. 
lished till 1603 when he was 39, two of which are given below. 
I think the doubtful inference has arisen through adopting as 
its date the time of the death of Sir Thos. Stanley (1576). 
Shakespeare was born in 1564, and died in 1616. In i6i6 
Venetia would be a young girl of 16 ; hence the words " yet 
living " in the inscription. Shakespeare would then be 52. 

There are other lines in Shakespeare's sonnets and else- 
where so similar to these lines attributed to him at Tong, 
that they, and Sir William Dugdale's record that he wrote 
them, appear to be conclusive. I choose out these two : — 

Not marble, nor the gilded monuments 

Of princes, shall outlive this powerful rhyme: 
But you shall shine more bright in these contents 

Than unswept stone besmear'd with sluttish time. 



yo Stanley Tomb, No. ig. 

When wasteful war shall statues overturn, 

And broils root out the work of masonry, 
Nor Mars his sword nor war's quick hre shall burn 

The liviug record of your memory. 

My love looks fresh, and Death to me subscribes. 
Since, spite of him, I'll live in this poor rhyme, 

While he insults o'er dull and speechless tribes, 
And thou in this shalt find thy monument 
When tyrant's crests and tombs of brass are spent. 

As " England's Queen and most chivalrous nobles were his 
friends," it seems to me most natural that the monument at 
Tong, which commemorates together the following illustrious 
names, should bear lines written by the great poet of the time 
— Margaret Vernon (daughter of the Vernon King of the 
Peak), Sir Thomas Stanley, son of Earl of Derby, Sir Edward 
Stanley, K.IL, his son. Lady Lucy Percy (daughter of Duke of 
Northumberland), and Venetia Digby, the beautiful. 

I have no doubt the inscription in the 3 compartments, now 
on the north side, was at first on the south side. The tomb 
stood in the Chancel on the north side of the altar, and hence 
the inscription would be only readable if on the south side of 
the tomb. It seems, therefore, that the table part of the tomb 
has been twisted completely round. The verse " Ask," &c., 
originally at the foot of the tomb, and at the east end, is now 
at the head and west end ; and the verse " not monu- 
mental," &c., formerly at the head, is now at the foot. 

The late Dean Stanley's letter to Mr. Lawrence, regarding 
the Stanley Tomb, is appended : — 

Sept. 8, 1873. 
Address Anderfield Dren N.B. 

Dear Sir, — I am much obliged for your kind trouble in regard to the 
Stanley Monument in your Church. I presume that there is no date on 
the monument to indicate that it may have been a later epoch than the 
date of the death of its owner, and so escape the necessity ot adopting the 
impossible youth of Shakespeare, if there were other sufficient points for 
supposing him to be the author. When in the Church I only read hastily 
that part of the inscription which is at the west end of the tomb ; and» 



Margaret and Dorothy Vf.rhoj^. 71 

nnless I am mistaken, the name was written Standly in tlie last line, and 
this made the basis of the play on the words. Is this so ? 

Yours faithfully, 

A. P. STANLEY. 

Margaret Vernon by her marriage conveyed Tong Castle ta 
her husband ; and her sister Dorothy (who eloped on the 
night of her sister's wedding, from Haddon Hall, the home of 
the Vernons, with Sir John Manners) conveyed that grand old 
pile to her husband. The walk by which the young lady 
fled the mansion is still pointed out as " Dorothy Vernon's, 
walk." 

All Haddon is fragrant with the memory of one fair woman Dorothy 
Vernon. Her postern, her walk, her rooms, her terrace, her beauty 
beautifies the whole place ; the charm and romance of the fair heiress linger 
yet round every part of Haddon. She was daughter of Sir Geo. Vernon, 
King of the Peak, died 1565, the year that Mary Queen of Scots married 
the ill-fated Lord Darnley. Dorothy loved one whom her father did not 
approve, and she determined to elope. And now we must fill in fancy the 
long gallery of Haddon Hall with the splendour of a revel, and the stately- 
joy of a great ball in the time of Queen Elizabeth, In the midst of mirth 
and excitement, while " noble lords and stately dames step in the courtly 
dance," the fair young daughter of the house steals unobserved away. She 
isues from her door, and her light feet fly with tremulous speed along the 
darkling terrace, till they reach a postern gate in the wall, which opens. 
Someone is waiting eagerly for her, with swift horses, — young Sir John 
Manners, second son of the House of Rutland. The lovers mount and ride 
rapidly away, and so Dorothy Vernon transfers Haddon to the owner of 
Belvoir, and the boar's head of the Vernons becomes mingled with the 
peacock of the Manners of Belvoir. 

Sir John was second son of Thomas 13th Lord Ros and 
Earl of Rutland, and was great-grandfather to the first Duke 

The Hon. (Sir) Thomas Stanley was a Knight, of Win- 
wick, and probably Lieutenant-Governor of the Isle of Man, 
1562. The family of Stanley, — an old branch of the Barons 
Audley, of Audley, co, Stafford, in the time of King John, — is 
one, the conduct of whose valiant sons has contributed largely 
to the glorious annals of England. One Sir John Stanley was 
a K. G. , and in 1406 had licence to fortify his new house at 
Liverpool (Knovvsley) with embattled walls, and a grant of the 



72 Stanley Family. 

Isle, castle and pile of Man, with all the isles adjacent, on pay- 
ment of two falcons to the King on Coronation Day. It was 
Sir Thomas Stanley's great-great-grandfather who was created 
Earl of Derby in consideration for his services in the victory 
of Bosworth, 1483 ; and his placing the crown of Richard III. 
upon the head of the victorious Richmond (Henry VII) in the 
field, is a matter of historic record. His great-grandfather 
George, married Jane, daughter and heir of John, Lord Strange 
of Knockyn. His father, Edward, 3rd Earl of Derby, K.G., 
bore the additional titles of Viscount Kynton, Lord Stanley 
and Strange, Lord of Knockyn, Mohun, Basset, Burnal, and 
Lacy, and Lord of Man and the Isles. This Earl on the birth 
of Sir Thomas Stanley's son, Edward, 1562, made a Deed of 
Settlement declaring that his several manors and lands in the 
counties of Warwick, Devon, and Oxford, also Dunham 
Massey, Bowden, Rungey Hale, ^ton, and Darfield in Co. 
Chester, shall appertain and belong to Sir Thomas Stanley 
for life, with remainder as moiety to his wife Lady Margaret for 
life, with remainder to Sir Edward for life, wiuh remainder to 
the Earl's first son, with remainder to the heirs male of Sir 
Thomas, with remainders to the heirs of Sir Edward. Sir 
Edward became possessed of all the said lands on his father's 
death, as well as the Castle of Hornby. 

Lady Lucy Percy, his wife, was daughter of Thomas Percy, 
who was created by Queen Mary, Earl of Northumberland, 
but conspiring later against Queen Elizabeth, was beheaded 
at York, 1572. His father. Sir Thomas, a lineal descendant of 
Hotspur, and other illustrious Percies, was also executed for 
conspiracy in Henry VIII's reign. 

Of Sir Edward Stanley's numerous family only two daughters 
grew up, viz. : — Frances, married to John Fortescue, Esq., of 
Salden, Berks, and Venetia, the renowned beauty, married 
to Sir Kenelm Digby, Knight, the philosopher. 



Pillar of Mary — Choir Screen. 73 

20. Here was formerly an octagonal PEDESTAL 
attached to N.E. pillar of tower, supposed to have originally 
supported the image of Saint Bartholomew, the patron Saint 
of the Church, or perhaps the Virgin Mary ; it was called the 
" pillar of Mary." On the other hand it may have been a 
pulpit pedestal. Until lately the broken crest from a destroyed 
Vernon tomb lay upon it. 

Tradition says that there once stood in the Lady Chapel 
(" our Lady's " Chapel) "a most beautiful sculptured image of' 
the Virgin, but this was destroyed by some Puritanical hands 
in the 16th Century ; and the pedestal on which it once stood 
only remains," and is now situated on the north corner under 
the Belfry tower, close to the foot of the Pembruge tomb, it 
having been removed there from the Lady Chapel, i.e., sup- 
posed to be on the north side of this tomb.f In 1892 this 
pillar was found to be a modern intrusion of brickwork, and- 
was removed. 

CHOIR SCREEN. 

21. The CHOIR SCREEN between chancel and tower- 
space is Transitional, of choice workmanship and design, and 
in very good preservation for its date. On the side facing the 
nave, the cornice is composed of oak leaves and acorns, and 
the string-course or the surbase shews the vine ; on the other 
side are birds, the vine, and other carving, the whole taking 
up and being continuous with the delicate oak tracery form- 
ing the upper part of the choir stalls. Only one piece of the 
trefoil ornament forming the cresting of the screen remained 
in 1884, viz., at the end near the chancel door, and that had 
disappeared a few years later, but fortunately by the aid of a 
detail in an old photograph belonging to the writer, the crest- 
ing has been faithfully reproduced. The reparation of the 
Choir Screen and Tracery is a very marked improvement, 
and Mr. H. Bridgman, of Lichfield, is to be congratulated 



t Note by Rev. R. G. Lawrence. 



74 Choir-Screen and Stalls. 

upon his careful execution of the work. The two low doorS 
in this screen separating the nave and chancel were removed 
in 1892. They were not thought to harmonize with the 
original work. Perhaps they belonged to the woodwork 
which is supposed to have run across under the western 
Arch of Tower, forming part of the rood loft, and which 
would take up with the two Aisle Screens loa. and lob. 

In the arch above the screen are to be seen the holes from 
which were removed the timbers of the rood-cross. The rood- 
loft gallery doubtless extended from the two east to the two 
west pillars of the tower-space ; access to the same was 
gained through the doorway (to be seen over the pulpit) from 
the stone staircase. Previous to the reign of Edward VI. 
the rood-loft, or gallery and screen supporting the rood cross, 
was a conspicuous object in early churches. In the gallery 
the deacon performed part of the public services of the Church, 
and at St. Julian's, Shrewsbury, a bottle of claret was placed 
in it for his use on Passion Sunday on account of an excep- 
tionally long part of the service which he read from there. 
Upon the gallery was fixed the holy rood, or crucifix bearing 
the image of Christ. To our ancestors the rood conveyed a 
full type of Christianity, the nave representing the Church 
militant, and the chancel the Church triumphant, and thus 
denoting tiaat they who would go from one to the other must 
pass under the rood, i.e., bear the Cross. 

CHOIR-STALLS. 

The CHOIR, though small, contains some original stalls 
of beautiful workmanship, the carving being well preserved 
considering its antiquity. They are 16 in number, four ad- 
joining the screen, and six on each side adjoining the north 
and south walls, and are of the peculiar construction implied 
by the name " Miserere " (Lord have mercy). The benches 
are of massive oak, hinged at the back, and when turned up 



Choir-Stalls. 7jj 

against the stall each exhibits a small half-octagon projecting 

bracket, carved with floral ornaments or hideous figures, in 

very fair preservation. A verger at Chester Cathedral thus 

described the use of this uncomfortable bench arrangement, 

the misereres there and in many old churches being of exactly 

similar construction : — During the long services of the Roman 

Catholic Church the monks became wearied from prolonged 

standing, and these seats were constructed to give them 

partial rest without permitting the comfort of an actual sitting 

posture. The occupant is supposed to stand, letting the 

weight of his body rest partly upon his feet and partly upon 

this little bracket, and so long as he kept awake the little 

bracket relieved his tired limbs and served him well ; but the 

instant he passed into sleepy forgetfulness his legs ceased to 

prop him up, and the increased weight thrown on the bracket 

caused it immediately to topple over and nearly precipitate 

the drowsy worshipper to the floor. It is difficult to describe 

in words the action of this peculiar arrangement, but visitors 

may examine the benches for themselves. The stalls were 

numbered in Mr, Durant's time (as well as the seats in the 

Church), as the following items in an old account book of 

Heayse, a wheelwright of Tong, record : — 

£ s. d. 
1806. G. Durrant, Esq., paint and numbering the seats in the Church and 

Chancel .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. o 18 6 

Altering the Cottage numbers, and in the Church .. .. .. ..026 

Numbering th« Cottages at Tong .. .. .. .. .. ._ o 1 6 

1811. Assisting with the Commnndments in the Church and materials ..046 

The numbers still upon the stalls will be convenient for 
reference (see plan). 

Detailed notice of choir-stalls : — 

Stall I. — Bracket shews an embattled pattern similar to 
parapet on the church. This stall-division differs from the 
others, which are single figures, in being a "A'inged male figure 
holding a smaller one. The two desk-ends in front of stalls 
I and 2 are the " barbarous repairs " referred to by Mr. Petit. 



; 76 Choir-Stalls. 

Brackets of stalls 2, 3, 6, 7, 14, 15, and 16 are generally 
floral ornaments. Stall 4, a face with foliage springing from 
the mouth ; this stall must have been the seat of a Church 
dignitar)', for above it a trefoil panel of tracery is enriched with 
(i) Head of Christ ; (2) an I H S ; and (3) an angel holding a 
shield, which bears : a heart in the centre, a key horizontally, 
a spear perpendicularly, a hand in each top corner, and a foot 

., in each bottom corner. Stall-bracket 5. — Winged half-length 
figure holding shield. Stall-bracket 8, the one upon which 
most pains seem to have been bestowed, has in the centre the 
Crucifixion scene ; on each side is an angel holding a scroll. 
At the foot of the cross are flowers, and on each side of the 
bracket a bird — perhaps intended for a dove. 9. — A face with 
foliage springing from each side of the mouth. 10. — A large 
bird, and a smaller one on either side. 11. — Foliage, a little 
more elaborate than the others. 12. — A winged half-length 
figure and shield (same as No. 5). 13. — Modern piece of 
moulding. The desk-end or poppy-head opposite stall 3 ex- 
hibits two figures, and two birds " crewdling." Opposite stall 
8 the poppy-head is perhaps for the Ascension scene ; but 
there are twelve figures, besides the figure upon a bracket 
above them. Opposite stall 9, the Resurrection scene, 

' Roman soldiers, one large figure sleeping, three smaller, and 
above them two female figures. Opposite stall 14, tvio 
figures, and below two faces. Opposite stalls 15 and 16, two 
figures, and below two angels with shields. 

The elegant tracery of the woodwork above the stalls is 
composed chiefly of quatrefoils, and is nearly similar to that 
shewn in the illustration of the Choir-Screen. The numerous 
birds carved in this woodwork are, I suppose, emblems of 
watchfulness. 

During the restoration in 1892 there were found two 
Bishop's Marks of Consecration on the walls behind the&e 
stalls, one on either side. 



WINDOWS IN CHANCEL. 

The EAST WINDOW is a fine five-light one, with pood 
Perpendicular tracery, and transom ; it is about 20 feet high, 
occupying a not exactly central position in the east wall, as 
before remarked. From north wall, 3ft. sins. ; from south 
wall, 3ft. I in. Some writers assert that during the middle 
ag^es the east window was intentionally placed nearer to one 
side-wall than the other, in order to typify the Head of the 
Saviour upon the Cross, which is generally shewn slightly in- 
clined to one side, the east window being the principal light 
of the chancel, the most sacred part of the Church In the 
tracery are some remains of old stained glass, the red and 
blue colours being especially rich. The following notes 
roughly record the composition of the glsss until its re- 
arrangement in 1892. 

Referring to the lights by numbers (commencing on the 

left) :— 

Below the transom — 

I.— Black and white pieces, chequy. A shield of deep red, in the centre 
thereof a cross, on dexter side a pair of rings, pincers (white), a hammer 
(white head, yellow handle) ; on sinister side, three dice (white, black spots), 
two spears (yellow, white heads). These are the emblems of the Passion, 
called by heralds the shield of arms of Jesus Christ. 

2. — St, Peter and keys (yellow), rich blue foliage. 

3.— Some Gothic letters, and yellow and white architecture. A female 
•figure in white 

4. -A shield, same as in No. i, except that the scourge and a bird appear 
on the sinister side. 

5.— Architecture corresponding very nearly with the arches of the 
Sedilia, and some old English letters, same as on the tomb of Sir Wm. 
Vernon (d. 1467). 

Above the transom — 

I. — Madonna and Child, white and yellow. A rich crown shewing fout 
leaves, yellow ; some deep rich red foliage, and some blue. 
2. — Mixture of white and blue, a little red. 
3. — Fragments, including a piece of a yellow crown. 

4. - Fragments. Three spear-heads held by a white hand, the centre 
one dark brown, the other two light blue heads, brown handles. 

5. — Generally white, some black and white triangles. . 



78 Ancient Glass in East Window, &c. 

Above these again in the tracery were — 

Over centre-light (No 3). ■ 

Nearly perfect, left side, a male figure with scroll, Gothic letters ; right 
side, female figure in white, with hands uplifted, red foliage. 

Above light No. i. -An angel, white hea'l, with censer, and blue foliage. 
Above light No 2.— A female head, with white covering. Above light No. 
4 — Mixture, blue and white. Above light No. 5.— White head, yellow 
halo; some black and white squares, chequy. 

The same glass is now arranged thus : — 
Below the transom — 

Plain. 

Fragments. 
3.- Ditto. 

4. — Holy face and another, probably St. Anne. 
• 5. - Plain. 
Above the transom — 

1. -Angel bearing the shield with emblems of the Crucifixion. 

2. -St. Peter. 

3. — Virgin Mary and Child. 

4.— St. Edmund King and Martyr. 

5. — Similar to No. i. 

In the 10 panels of tracery immediately above are : — 

I, 4. 7 and 10. Emblems of the Four Evangelists. 

2 and 3. (Larger). The latter is St Mary Magdalene. 

5.— Unknown. 

6.— The Angel Gabriel. 

8.— The Virgin Mary. 

g. — Probably Salome and another Holy Woman. 

Of the OTHER WINDOWS in CHANCEL there are two 
in the north wall, each having three lights, with Perpendi- 
cular tracery. And in the south wall three three-lighted 
windows with good Perpendicular tracery, the centre one 
being over the priest's door.* The graceful black and white 
flower to be seen in little corners of the tracery of these win- 
dows is undoubtedly of Early Fifteenth Century date. 

* Mr. Eyton records that in 1663 "the South window of chancel" contained arms as 
follow ; — I. - Barry ot 6 or and az iPembruge) impaling Barry of 6 or and az. on a bend gu. 
three roses ar<j. (Lingeni II.- Pembruge). III. -iLingen). IV. -Wu. a lion rampant, 
(Fitzalnn). V. -Jr./. fretty s«. (Vernon). V\.—Arg. fretty sa., a canton gn., (Vernon). 
VII. Az. two pipes between nine cross crosslets or (Pype). VIII.— J.', a bend arj^. cotized 
between six murtlets or (De la Bcre). 

And " the North window of chancel "—I. — Arg. fretty gu. with a bezant on each joint of 
the fretty iTrussel), emp.iiiug or a lion rampant sa. (Ludlow). II.— (Ludlow) empaling 
(Lingen). III. —(Ludlow) empaling itr^/. fretty .««. a cinton ./m., (Vernon). IV. (Lingen). 
V. -(Pembrngiii. VI. — (Pembruge) empaling (Lingeni. VW.—Arg. fretty la. a canton gvu 
(Vernon) impaling [blanlt] VIII. — (Ut la Bere; empaling gu\a, lion rampant or: 



WiLLouGHBV Monument, No. 22, 79 

22. By the commuunion rail and formerly bordered with 
fossil marble, but now with tiles, was the black marble slab 
with arms and supporters thereon, to the memory of the 
Hon. HENRY WILLOUGHBY, youngest son of Sir 
Thomas, afterwards in (171 2), created Lord Middleton of 
Middleton, who had served in six several Parliaments during 
the reigns of King William and Queen Anne. Mr. Wil- 
loughby died in 1734 at Tong Castle, of which he was tenant- 
The slab, which was much worn, is now moved for protection 
nearer to the north wall of the choir : the arms are plainly to 
be seen, viz. : — Quarterly for Willoui,'hby of Parham andWil- 
loughby of Middleton, with supporters a grey friar and a 
savage, and the excellent motto " Truth without fear.^' The 
inscription is too indistinct to'give a verbatim copy, but below 
the name are some lines which have been preserved : — 

His aoble soul and truly generous mind, 

In acts of goodness both were unconfiiied; 

His charity was free and private too, 

By proper objects felt but known to few. 

His hospitality the poor did share. 

Relieved the widow, dried the orphan's tear; 

Pride with its lures and vain attempting art. 

Hateful to sight, was absent from his lieart — 

A friend he was most worthy and sincere, 

There did the lustre of the friend appear ; 

And as his merits justly claimed a name 

Inscribed in annals of immortal fame, 

In his just praise to latest times be it said, 

That all who living knew him, mouru'd him dead. 

This vault was opened July 3, 1891, when it was found to 
contain only one coffin, bearing the plate of arms, with a 
martlet for difference, agreeing with the slab. 

23. On the south wall of the chancel, immediately above 
the altar rails, is the mural MONUMENT partly of alabaster 
and partly of marble and stone, to MRS. WYLDE, with 
female figure in Elizabethan costume, kneeling beside a table. 
Length of monument, 6tt. 6in. ; width, 3ft. 3in. Inscrip, 
tion : — 



■8o Mrs. Ann Wyi.de n^e Harries, d. 1624. 

HERE LYETH THE BODY OF ANN WYLDE LATE WIFE OF JOHN WYLDE 
OF DROITWYTCH IN THE COVNTY OF WORCESTER ESQR ELDEST 
DAVGHTER OF SR THO ; HARRIES OF TONG CASTLE SERJEANT-AT-LAW 
AND BARONET AND DAME ELLINOR HIS WYFE WHOSE VIRTVE 
MODj:STIE RARE AND EXCELLENT PARTS FAR EXCEEDING HER AGE 
HAVE FITTED HER FOR A MORE HEAVENLY HABITATION LEAVING 
BEHIND HER THESE SPECTACLES OF GRIEFE AND PLEDGES OF TRVE 
AFFECTION SHE DIED THE 6TH OF MAY IN THE YEERE OF OVR LORD 
1624, AND OF HER AGE THE 16TH BEING THEN NEWLY DELIVERED OF 
HER FIRST-BORNE. 

There have been some verses below, which are now 
illegible. At the top of the monument is : — 

AD TE DEUM CLAMAVi (1 have Called unto Thee, O God). 

There are two shields upon the monument. One, the larger, 
has : — Party per pale : dexter — quarterly, first and fourth arg. 

on a chief sar., 3 martlets (for ?), second and third arg. 

a cross sa. (for Wylde) ; sinister — barry of 7 erm. and az., over 
all 3 annulets or., two and one (for Harries). On the smaller, 
a lady's shield, the Harries arms are repeated. 

John Wylde was descended from Symon Wylde of the 
Forde, co. Worcester, by his wife, Ellinor, daughter and co- 
heir of George Wall of Droitwich. 

Ann was the elder daughter and co-heiress of Sir Thomas 
Harries. He was an eminent lawyer, Sergeant-at-Law 1589, 
created a baronet 12th April 1623, and died m 1640 — the 
great-great-grandson of John Harries of Cruckton, Salop, 1463. 
Her mother was Elinor, daui^hter of Roger Gifford, of Lindon, 
phvsician to Qieen Elizabeth. 

Sir Thomas purchased Tong Castle from Sir Edward 
Stanley about 1623. 

Among the " prisoners taken at Salop 22nd February, 1644, 
were Sir John Wyld, senior. Knight, and Sir John Wyld, 
junior, Knight." Sergeant John Wylde was a member of the 
Long Parliament in the time of Oliver Cromwell, representing 
Worcestershire. At the same time Edmund Wylde, Esq., 
represented Droitwich, and was described as a King's Judge, 
i.e.., nominated to that office and only in part, or not at all, 
risking to perforin it. 



Mrs. Elizabeth Pierpoint n^e Harries. 8i 

Mrs. Wylde's sister, and the eventual sole heiress of Sir 
Thomas Harries, was Elizabeth. She married the Honourable 
William Pierrepoint of Thoresby, Notts, M P. for Salop, and 
called " William the Wise," and died in 1656. He was 2nd 
son of Robert Earl of Kingston, and, in right of his wife, 
succeeded to the Tong estate in 1640; was Member of the 
Long Parliament for Great Wenlock, Co. Salop, in Cromwell's 
time, and one of the Commissioners to treat with the King at 
Oxford, " being one who pressed for an Accommodation with 
the King ; " while his brother Francis represented Notting- 
ham. At the Restoration, William, as M.P. for Notts, 
heartily espoused the Koyal interest, and was chiefly in- 
strumental in getting rid of the oppressions of the Court of 
Wards, Reliefs, &c. He died 1679. 

In Carlyle's Cromwell Letters, Vol. HI., occurs the following 
relating to him : — '^ 

Charles's standard, it would seem then, was erected at Worcester on 

Friday, the 22nd August, 1651. About sunrise " our messenger " (i.f., the 
Parhament's) left the Lord General (Oliver Cromwell) at Mr. Pierpoint's 
house, — William Pierpoint of the Kingston family, much his friend, - the 
house called Thoresby near Mansfield, — ^just starting for Nottingham, to 
arrive there that night. 

William's father was Robert Pierrepoint, created Baron 
1627, Viscount Newark and Earl of Kingston-upon-Hi.ll, 1628 ; 
his mother being a daughter and co-heiress of Henry Talbot, 
3rd son of Geo., Earl of Shrewsbury. At the breaking out of 
the Great Rebellion, Lord Pierrepoint was appointed by King 
Charles Lieut. -General of the Royal Forces within the counties 
of Lincoln, Rutland, &c. ; subsequently surprised at Gains- 
borough and made prisoner by Lord Willougliby of Parham, 
he was sent towards Hull in a pinnace (or small boat), which 
being pursued by Sir Charles Cavendish (who demanded the 
Earl and was refused) was shot at by that gentleman with a 
drake (a small piece of artillery) ; the Earl and his servant 

" Ex Tract printed at Louddn for Edw. Husbands, Maich lo, 1644^ 



Sa The Earls and Dukes of Kingston, 

were placed as a mark to Sir Charles's shot, and were both 
killed 13 July, 1643. 

William and Elizabeth left several sons. The youngest, 
Gervase, was a considerable benefactor to Tong, and gained 
the title of Baron Pierrepomt of Ardglass in Ireland, and Lord 
Pierrepoint of Hanslope in England. (See brass No. 24 to his 
memory in Tong Church). The eldest, Robert, left three sons, 
two of whom, Robert and William, became successively Earls 
of Kingston-upon-Hull, and died without issue 1682 and i6ga' 
respectively. William's elder brother Henry, " succeeded his 
father as 2nd Earl of Kingston, and was created Marquis o4 
Dorchester 1645 ; eminent for his learning, a great reader, and 
well versed in the laws ; in 1658 was member of the College of 
Physicians in London, and became, as Anthony Wood says, 
their pride and glory." He left two daughters, co-heirs, of 
whom Anne married John, 9th Earl and xst Duke of Rutland. 

Upon the death of this Marquis, the Kingston titles (except 
the Marquisate) and estates (including Tong Castle and 
Thoresby), passed to William's grandson Robert ; afterwards 
to his brother William, Lord of Tong i6go ; and afterwards to 
their brother Evelyn, created Duke of Kingston, 17115. He 
was father of Lady Mary Wortlcy Montague (who became so 
celebrated in the literary world), and grandfather of Evelyn, "^ 
last Duke of Kingston, who sold Tong to Mr. Durant in 1762, 
and died in 1773, when all his titles became extinct. In 1760 
the Duke's seat was at Tong Castle. 

- Lady Harries gave to Tong, about the year 1630, the beau^ 
tiful and costly Ciborium (see illustration), a sacramental 
vessel of the time of Henry VIII., said to be the work of the 
celebrated artist Holbein, and regarded by the highest 
authorities on such matters as unique. It stands 11 inches 
high, and is of silver gilt, richly chased, having a central 

» He married the celebrated Miss Chudleigh. 









^ /^ (^ 









o 











-^'^ -^^ JW ^~^ - " 









S 15^ ,^ "g Q^ n-n 



^ IM 




^^ 






fe:) 



Q 
uu 

UJ 

Q 
t/) 
z 

o 

H 

C/3 
O 

Z 



UJ 

D 

Q 



ClBORlUM AND GiFTS BY LaDY HaRRIES. 



8.3 




barrel of crystal 2 in. deep, 2fin. diameter outside, and 2^ 
inside. t It probably belonged to the ancient college of Tong, 

and held the sacred wafers, 
but is now used to hold the 
consecrated wine on the high 
festival days of the Church. 
It is described among " the 
guifts of that pious and 
charitable Lady Eleanor 
Harries (relict of Sir 
Thomas)," as " a large 
Comunion Cup of Gould and 
Christall and cover." 

She also gave the pulpit 

and " frontal " (see No. 36) ; 

besides these, "an loo;^ 

was given by ye vertuous 

Lady for ye use of ye poore 

of ye Parish for ever ; a 

ciBORiUM. yewer and plate of silver ; a 

cloth for ye com'un table of Diaper ; a pulpit cloth of black for 

funeralls ; a black cloth for ye bier at all funeralls." 

In May, 1645, Tong Castle was one of the garrisons of 
Salop ; and the following other notes of it, about that time, 
occur : — 

" Urst the King had it ; then the rebels gott it ; then Prince Rupert took 
it (6 Apl. 1644), and put in a garrison who afterwards burnt it when he 
drew them out to the battle of York." 

" Prince Rupert took Longford at the same time he took Tong Castle." 

" Tong Castle shall be speedily released according as Col. Rugelie, Mr. 

Crompton, and Mr. Stone shall see fit. Apl i6th, ordered that /20 shall 

be given to the troops which is already paid to Captain Rugelie, and £z of 

the rent of Captain Barnsley and Mr. Draycott in Barnhurst, shall be 

t Permission was given to the South Kensington Museum for it to be photographed 
for the use of Schools of Art and local Museums. Tlie crystal was slightly iracturcd io 
1873, but has been so skilfully restored as to bear scarcely a trace of its misfortune. 





84 ToNG Castle and the Civil Wars. 

allowed to commanders and officers, a gratuity only to those commanders, 
officers, and troops, that did so good service in the release of Tong Castle." 

Old Vicars relates : — "That Captain Stone, governor of Eccleshall Castle, 
having intelligence that the garrison of Tongue Castle were abroad, fell 
upon them with a party of horse, slew many of their officers, took pris ner 
the Governor of the Castle, and 200 private soldiers."* 

Symond's Diary gives : — " Saturday, May 17th, 1645. His Majestie 
marched by Tong, Salop ; a faire Church, the windows much broken,! yet 
divers ancient coates of armes remaine. A faire old Castle near this 
Church called Tong Castle, belonging to Pierpoint this 18 years : it was 
the ancient seat of Stanley, who came to it by marrying Vernon of the Peak 
at Haddon. Thence through Newport." 

" Upon [the Parliament] taking Shrewsbury, the enemy quitted and 
burned Leahall and Tonge Castle. "J 

24. In the Chancel floor is a small BRASS, about a foot 
square, let into the tile floor, bearing this inscription : — 

THE RT. HONBLE. GERVAS, LORD PIERPOINT 

BARON PIEREPONT OF HANSLOP, COUNTY BUCKS 

AND BARON PIEREPONT OF ARGLAS IN THE KINGDOM OF IRELAND 

DEPARTED THIS LIFE MAY THE 22D 1715 IN YE 66 YEAR OF HIS AGE. 

This brass was until recently in the centre of the floor, but 
is now placed near the North Wall. It commemorates 
Gervase, Lord Pierrepoint, who gave to Tong the valuable 
library now in the Vestry. A lead plate on a coffin beneath, 
found in 1892, had this inscription, " The Right Honble. 
Jervos, Lord Pierpont, died May 22nd, 1715." (See No. 35, 
under Library). He married Lucy, daughter of Sir John 
Pelham of Sussex, and had one only child, Elizabeth, who 
pre-deceased him, and on the north wall of the chancel is a 
marble tablet, of which the lower part and inscription appear 
to be to her memory. (See No. 31). 

WITHIN THE ALTAR RAILS a handsome new floor 
and steps have been put. The old flooring tiles have been 
removed, and the few which could be re-used are laid in the 
Vernon Chantry. Some were " chequy," corresponding with 

<■ Ex ffal>>cit s Shropshire. 

t U the Church was ganisonefi as an outpost to the Castle, it seems astonishing that 
more damage was not done. 
J History of Shrewsbury, p. 39. 




f inQton latr of ti)c topitr iafiirs sComrf {amif anD * 
I5 HK of St^Souti ^Rfffinstmi tof^^ 
lonM taifil^tr. Sbiit /Rnri to. iss"© 

21n()feitI]fnutDtii<5 apnmrf in qpiet tpmr of pear?* 
Bui liitini iTK^ conrfc on carKjirV t)aLi'fiillfilDf 
tnrlm'5eaf\iioi-I5lB itiors bii>tninrcleali' 
M^ to has lAinnDomettfn l]is Coulf 5i(r call 
jbi5 Do&pr to Suft vrturnrtPfroinlbtipncrijtcatQf 
tBtjirhr rayfr flQemir tif-imll'to10T3 celrftfiU 
liilirrr bo5pr aair fonlr DL]aU f tier prapfr Ms namr 




||_^ GgOQum niKirn_ 



^<^'°' 



Tomb no. 28.— William Skeffington, Esq. 



The Skeffington Tablets. 85 

fragments in the east window ; others were quatrefoils, an 
eagle (yellow on red), a man with sword and shield defending 
himself against some animal ; some Gothic letters were on 
two tiles, and there were other designs. Size 43-^in square- 
There are two old carved oak CHAIRS. The one on the 
south side has the letters I.H. upon it. 

25. The ALTAR is of wood. It was until 1892 of 
alabaster, and a part of the very rich tomb to Richard Vernon, 
Esquire (see under the pulpit, No. 17), to which it has been 
restored. The new altar cloth, worked by the Sisters of St. 
Margaret's East Grinstead, is a handsome piece of needle- 
work, with designs of the Holy Lamb, and the knives of St. 
Bartholomew. It was exhibited at the Church Congress Ex- 
hibition at Folkestone. 

28. The SEDILIA, in the south wall, comprise three 
stone stalls with depressed trefoiled heads. These seats were 
for the use of the Priest, Deacon, and Sub-Deacon. 

27. The PISCINA, in the south wall, is a holy-water 
basin, carved in stone upon a half-octagon stone bracket ; 
there is a recess, and at each of its two inner corners is a 
circular shaft supporting a small shelf. This basin v/as for 
the purpose of receiving the water used by the priest, which 
sank through an opening into the rubble of the wall, and was 
then lost, a method to prevent the water from being applied 
afterwards to any sacrilegious purpose. 

28 & 29. The SKEFFINGTON TABLETS to a mother 
and son, in the east wall of the chancel, are of Purbeck marble, 
each bearing plates of copper, inlaid with silver for colour. 
Over these tablets in the East Wall are shallow recesses, 
where there appear to have been panels of a date anterior to 
these tablets, probably having carvings worked in as part of 
the orierinal walling. 



185 The Skeffington Tablets. 

28. The one on the south side of the east window com- 
memorates WILLIAM SKEFFINGTON, Esq., late of the 
"" White Ladies." 

The centre plate bears the following quaint lines : — 
^cxt unXicx loctl) I'ntcrrcti tijc hoUm of ^Hilltam SkcCSngtan, 
late of tf)c Wii)i{c 3£aliic3 Crisqiu'rc soime ant Ijritc of &ix 
3a\)n SkcfCngton sometgrnc of %mW I3,nifj!}t£. 
©bt'tt ^n'o li'm 1530. 

3ln rsquicr \)t toas rigfjtc f)artge to tlje ftaltie 
anti fat'tljfuU to 1)13 i^ronce in quiet tgme of peace 
33 lit toljen ijis course on cartlje \)c l)ati fulfiltie 
Cfje ilortj of ^Morllilu tooes tiili fjim release 
^nli to ijis kingtiome tljrn f}is soule tiiti call 
J^is botige to bust returned from toljeuce gt came 
^ijicJ) rausc arjagne ijc tot'll to Jog ccIcstiaU 
515El)ere iotige anl) soule siljall efaer pragse I)is name. 

The upper plate bears his arms, viz. : — Quarterly of six 
pieces, ist A)y. three bulls' heads erased, sa., 2 and i 
(Skeffington). 2nd. Azu7'e, a bend cotised between six mullets 

or (Ouldbeif). 3rd three ravens, two and one ( ) 

4th. ylr^., a fesse dancett^e between three crescents, 

ffu., 2 and I (Doyle). 5th. Ermme, a bend az. (Inglish). 
6th. Ermine, on a chief indented ^m., three escallops o> (Child) 
In the fesse point a crescent for difference. Crest, upon a 
wreath, a mermaid proper, with comb and mirror or. 

On the lowest plate are the letters — 

G 
R S T 

upon a lozenge ; and this inscription : — 

Posurrunt ^ietatis iHonumentum. 
29. On the north side of the east window is a similar 
tablet to LADY DAUNSEY (mother of Wm. Skeffington, 
Esq.), with brass plates. 




•fefrr \m^rr ferfli intmTc)' il)r loLTtr af iamf sli^abetFi « 
* iBbnfei) Dir:m5i^i> ofti^r tjaillf ^ faiiiilii of p>pf krs 
firft ingn'rD to sir^otra sl^rffiugton l^ni^ff 
Ccniitprar stirrittr of toiiDoi^atofflarrieD 
tos',jSal]n iatiurQH l!^inal)tf^bi]t ^ Din 1^49. 

J5tiouQl}f tnrtuf^*rarf DiD^rati)!^ linat)tf aboimDe' 
/HncMdeBijf 9i iiiill ftia \i3o;itn3f iaL)if«.0)i> pocFtCf * 
Bft uDtijiTiflp mjj' raDf t]cr pTtnle Dii) morr Y?[oun5e 
l^enffllttie in 3e[iis ct)n[t lljitti loDn? aoDline^ 
^n fir to blmii> a liimr to iauir ilir toas 
'Co poorr ftfi'pnt> 9f kpirar fn ecqe' Dmrc 
lboit3f I)onoiirf{>jit]t1oufc>toolOftiii!^ Dome tjiptu pas 
•fo placf appoiitteci' bu tt^r'loiir Wii^m faleaeD^yt Chal be 




iOTTUTTlfn'tura 



.^- 



Tomb No. 29.— Dame Elizabeth Daunsey 



The SKEFFrxGroN Tablets. S'jr 

The centre one bears also a quaint inscription : — 

^crr unlicr ILuftfj mtcrvcti i\}t ISotim of Qamc tIrlBafactf). 

©aunscu bisccnticli of Hjc {joii3£ v^ familg of m IDcckca 
first marrfcti to Sir 3aljn <Ske£Eiicjton ^uicjljtc 
sonirtumc JSfjertffc of SLontio' v^ after niarrirtJ 

to <Sr 3o\)n Qaimsag lAuirjljtt. <Bhiit 3lo tin'i 1549. 

E\)auQ^ fai'rtucs rare tiit) in tijt's ISEirjfjte abountJc 
anb SIEcltf)e at Ujtll tfji's tnortijic llaliie tiiti poressc 
get notijincfc in m entic ijer prafsc bill more resoimtie 
tfjcn faitljx in Sesus (Cijrist Initfj sober pblincs 
2ln cie to blinti a lume to lame sije luas 
(Ea poore a frenti ©f itgnnc in £ci)e begre 
Botije f)onoiireti v^ bclobeb too for t|)is botfj birtu pas 
Co place appointed bg tlje ilortic luijere blesseli gt 3f}al be. 

On the upper plate these arms : — Per pale : dexter, quarterly 
of six pieces (as on monument No. 28) ;, sinister ...... 

three eagles displayed two and one (Peche), and on 

the lowest plate an inscription and initials the same as upon. 
No, 28. 

At Brewood Church, in the east wall of south aisle, there 
was in 1680 a companion tablet to Nos. 28 and 29, witli 
similar initials at foot — 

G 
R S T 

and this inscription : — * 

Posiierunt ^^ietatis fHonumentum 
^ere iintirr Igetfj tfjc botio of 3onc, sometime tfjr tjantjfjter 
of Sames Eebison ^sq toljiclj 3one toas first marrieti ta 
Milliam Skeffincfton (ffsq, seeonbln to Milliam JFoiuke.t 
(gentleman, et lastlg to dBbluartJ (Siffarli (!^sq. ©biit auuo 
IDom. 1572. 



SS The Skeffington Tablets. 

crisis bfrtiiaus Bnmc, Infjilc H)nt sljc lifarti i^ffr, 
21 sotilg iBatran toas, but Cljn'st {)cr cfjirf ijoltr, 
OEija totll fjE corpse rrstarc to !l?faiicn's r|iccr» 
?SE{)crc iiaijoi i}cr souk Ijcr Sabiour tiotlj ictjolti 
STo learn of life tlje course anli fatal race 
(iri)at mortal flcsl) upon tl)e eartlj must run 
2Lfje bjljtci) faotlj olb attti gouiitj must trace 
W^)zn as tl)e ILorb cuts off tlje tijreatj suell spun 
The Skeffingtons of Skeffington, meaning a "sheep town," 
in Leicestershire, are an ancient family, allied to many 
Staffordshire families, and in later times had their seat at 
Fisherwick, co. Stafford. 

Sir John Skeffington, Knight, the father of Wm. Skeffington 
of White Ladies, and husband of 'the Lady Dauntsay,' was 
an Alderman of London, Merchant of the Staple at Calais. 
By his will, dated 1524, he gave one third of his property 
" according to the laudable custom of the city of London to 
his dear wife Elizabeth," and besides many bequests to 
relations, friends, and apprentices, gave divers sums to 
churches, and a vestment with all its appurtenances to be set 
on the cross at Skeffington Church. He died 1525, seised of 
lands in the city of London, and the counties of Middlesex and 
York, leaving, with other children, "VS'illiam his son and heir, 
13 years old in 1529, described as of White Ladies, Shrop- 
shire. His will, dated 1551, gives ^^20 to his eldest son, John, 
£^0 each to his other cliildren not married, and the residue to 
Johanna, executrix with her brother, R. Leveson, Esq., and 
the said son John : proved at Newport, 1551, the testator 
calling himself "of the parish of Tong," in which White 
Ladies was said to be situated. :j: 

Edward Mytton, Esq., of Wcston-under-Lizard, an ancestor 
of t^c present owner of Tong and Weston, married Cecilia, 
daughter of Sir Wm. Skeffington, as a large monument in 
Weston Church records. 

One " Sir Wm. Skeffington, knight, was appointed by King 
Henry VIH., in 1529, commissioner to Ireland, empowered to 

* Kx Ilii-kr.-Hiuith s '/istorii of firewood, from Ashniolean VISS. 

t William Fowke died, i8 February, 1558, and was buried in Brewood Churchyard. 

t Nichol's Leicesters/iire. 



DuRANT Family. 89 

restrain the exactions of soldiers, to call a Parliament, and to 
provide that the clergy's possessions might be subject to bear 
their part of the public expense. He was a very distinguished 
political personage in Ireland, and died in the government of 
that kingdom as Lord Deputy, 1535-" 

Lady Daunsay's second husband. Sir John Daunsay, may 
possibly be the London Alderman of that name occurring 
about 1542, the founder of the Daunsay Charity at West 
Lavington, of the Mercers' Company. 

30. DURANT monuments in the chancel. The larger 
one, a handsome marble monument, has sculpture emblem- 
atical of grief, Mr. Durant's arms vi^ith the motto " Beati qui 
durant " (Blessed are they who endure, or Blessed are the 
Durants), besides the following inscription : — 

Beneath are deposited the remains of George Durant of Tong Castle, Esquire who 
died Aug. 4, i/So, Aged 46 He married Maria daughter of Mark Beaufoy Esq and left 
issue George, born April 25th, 1776 Maria born July 2nd, 1779 who died April 24th 17% 
and is interred in the same vault. 

His sentiments were liberal 
His disposition humane 
His manners polished 
Happy alike in his mental 
As in his personal accomplishments. 
In the same vault are deposited the remains of Marianne, eldest daughter of 
George and Marianne Durant, who was born 32nd November, 1779, and died iSth March, 
iSoo. And of Mark Hanbury Durant, their fifth son, born November 5th, 1808, and died 
August 22nd, 1815. Emma, their youngest daughter, died in France June 5th, 1S29, ag d 19, 
and was buried in the great cemetery called Pcre-Lachaise at Paris, in a little chapei 
built to h3r beloved memory by her disconsolate father. 

The family of DURANT, which has left such traces of itself 
at Tong and the neighbourhood, came from Worcestershire, and 
in the Market Place at Worcester is still to be seen an old 
black and white timbered house bearing the inscription " Love 
God W B 1577 R D Honour the King." The former half 
of the inscription having been placed there when the house 
was built by William Berksley, the latter portion was added 
by Richard Durant, who lived there at the time of the 
Civil Wars ; and it was to this house that Charles II. repaired 
with Lord Wilmot when the disastrous issue of the battle ot 



go DuRANT Family. 

Worcester was known. He was followed there by Colonel 
Corbet, a Parliamentarian, and, it is said, effected his escape 
by the back door as his pursuers entered by the front. 

Another of the family was rector of Hagley in the days of 
Lord Lyttleton of " ghostly fame," and his Lordship seems to 
have taken a dislike to his son or nephew George, who subse' 
quently became the first Durant of Tong Castle, on account of 
some difference with one of the Lyttleton family during the 
time he was holding a position under Government in the West 
Indies. It was while occupying a situation provided for him 
by Lord Holland, to whom he had been on a former occasion 
able to do a kindness, that Mr. George Durant amassed a 
very large fortune at Havannah, and returning to England 
determined to locate himself somewhere in the neighbourhood 
where his forefathers had lived, and with this view he 
purchased from the Duke of Kingston the Tong Castle estate. 

Mr. Durant (about 1764) demolished all but the main block 
of Sir Harry Vernon's castle, built in 1500. It was a 
picturesque building of red brick, with stone quoins and 
clustering twisted chimneys rising above the towers, a very 
beautiful specimen of the embattled manor-house. Some 
portions of Sir Harry's building are still left, notably the north 
and south ends, and the clustered chimneys, as shewn in 
Buck's View of 173 1 (see page 50). The plan of the Castle 
itself consisted of masses of buildings arranged around three 
sides of a parallelogram with detached buildings. Mr. Durant 
seems to have encased the remaining portion of it in stone 
according to a fanciful design of his own, a mixture of Gothic 
and Moorish architecture. Surmounted by its lofty domes and 
pinnacles, the structure is noticeable principall}' for its massive 
and stately appearance. This is enhanced in a great measure 
on the church side by its position at the edge of a broad rich 
greensward extending uninterruptedly to its very foot, and the 
pretty low-lying sheet of water winding along the valley ; 



DuRANT Family. 91 

while on the west side, just below the lawn and shrubberies, 
this scene of marked repose rapidl}' changes into one of wilder 
beauty as the two hurrying streamlets burst away over little 
falls till they mingle in the dell below. 

Mr. G. Durant's son George succeeded him. He was four 
years old at his father's death. His eccentric character is 
indicated by the quaint buildings, monuments with hiero- 
glyphics, and inscriptions alike to deceased friends, eternity, 
and favourite animals, which were then to be found on every 
path of the demesne. One in the wood still bears " si monu- 
MENTUM REQUiRAS ciRCuMSPiCE," and of Others some further 
account is'given in a later part of this work. He married firstly 
Miss Eld, of Seighford, by whom he had a son, George Stanton 
Eld, who predeceased his father, leaving a son, George 
Charles Selwyn, who succeeded his grandfather, and sold the 
estate in 1855. He never lived at Tong Castle, and died in 
1875 without surviving issue. 

DURANT Tablet near east wall. 

George Durant remarried ^September 25, 1830, Celeste, daughter of 
Monr. Caesar Lavefve, of Lorraine, and had issue : — 

Born. Died. Buried. 

Cecil September 8, 1831 «.... March 25, 1832 Beneath 

Celestin November 22, 1833 

Cecilia January 20, 1835 

Augustine January 27, 1837 

Alfred June 7, 1838 

Agnes May 2, 1840 

The above George Durant died Nov. 29th, 1844, aged 6g. 
DURANT Tablet near Vestry Door — 

Died. Aged. Buried. 



Maria .. 
Rose . . . . 
Bell .... 
George .. 
Hope .... 
Marianne 
Maria . . 



Apl. 15, 1833 331 

Mar. 24, 1838 32 ]■ Beneath. 



Sept. 6, 1835 

Durant Sept. 24, 1831 301 In the 

Feb. 14, 1836 25 ) churchyard, 

their mother Apl. 16, 1829 54 Seighf^^xd. 

their grandmother Apl. 28, 1S32 74 Dawlish. 

Remarried to Major Payne and Colonel Chapman. 
Ernest obiit, March 25th, 1846 
iEtat 35. 



g2 Hatchments — Elizabeth Piereepoint. 

The Vault under the middle of the Choir contains ten 
coffins of the Durant Family. 

HATCHMENTS.— Over No. 30 were until lately two 
hatchments or mourning shields to members of the Durant 
family. Jurisdictions of Courts Leet, 1675, gives an account 
of " Trespass brought b}^ Dame Wiche against the Parson for 
taking down a Coat of Armour with the arms of her husband, 
when it was decided that a Parson shall not have that nor the 
Churchwardens, for they are hung there for the honour of the 
body of him that was buried there." 

31. Over the Vestry door is a monument of statuary and 
grey marble. The inscription upon it records the death of 
ELIZABETH, only child of Gcrvase Lord PIERREPONT 
aged II. 

A medallion above the inscription shews a finely executed 
head of a lady, and probably not representing the child referred 
to in the inscription. There is also some excellent sculpture 
of drapery, with a shield ; and below are the skull, cross-bones, 
&c., emblems of death. 

In 1763 *' there v.'as on the north side of the chancel a hust 
in the wall of a daughter of the Pierpoint family, hut no 
epitapJi.'"^ May not the medallion be intended to commemo- 
rate Elizabeth Pierrepoint, the child's grandmother, eventual 
sole heiress of Sir Thomas Harries, through whom Tong 
Castle passed to the Pierrepoint family ? It seems unlikely 
that there would be no memorial at Tong to one whose protect- 
ing arm probably shielded the Church and its monuments 
during the troublous times of the Comnr.onwealth, and who 
was buried at Tong, July i, 1656. 



' Ex iihrcdt and r'alches, Shnusbury Journal, from the (r'ntleman's Magazine, 



93 



Elizabeth Pierrepont. 

Hie infra 

Terrestria Impedimenta 

Prjematurius reliquit quasi ad coelum Properans 

Elizabetha Pierrepont. 

Ao. JErae Cbrni. cioiocxcvii Pridie Kal. Sept. 

Annos nata xi 

Puella ingenii acuminis & Morum Vrbanitatis 

Supra yEtatulae captum. 

Quam multa jam Feliciter edocta, 

Nihil non si diutius Parcae Favissent Assecutura 

Parentum Decus Dulce Familiarum Delicias 

Utrorumque spes gratissima 

Filia unica Gervasii Pierrepont Armigeri Dni Terra do Tong 

Nepotis Roberti Pierrepont Comitis Kingstonia 

Accerimi (ingruentibus sub Carole lo Rege dissidiis CivilibusJ Strategi 

Fidelitatis suo Princip i debitas, etiam vitse dispendio Assertoris : 

Cui Genus ortum a Roberto de Pierrepont 

Gul'mo lo Regi Expeditionum Comite ; 

Fratrum natu maximo, 

Quorum etiam dum superest in Normannia 

Posteritas. 

* Ov y s <f>iXu ©cos y airoOvrjaKti veos. 

TRANSLATIOII : — 

Here, below, Elizabeth Pierrepont prematurely has cast oflf [her] earthly trammels at 
it were hasting to heaven, in the year 1697 of the Christian Era, on the day befor« the 
Kalends of September [31st August] Eleven years old. A maiden endowed with a mind, 
prudence, and sweetness of manner far beyond her tender years : How many precepts of 
her parents would she not have gladly followed if the Fates had spared her longer ! The 
ornament of her friends, the delight of her family, the most pleasing hope of both : The 
only daughter of Gervase Pierrepont, Esquire, Lord of the Land of Tong, nephew of 
Robert Pierrepont, Earl of Kingston, in the civil wars which raged biiterly under King 
Charles I. the assertor of fidelity due to his Prince, even at the cost of his life : He wa* 
descended from Robert de Pierrepont, companion of the expeditions of William I. the 
Conqueror — the eldest brother— whose posterity even yet survives in Normandy. 

Whom God loves dies young. 

Mr. Walter de Gray Birch writes me thus : The Greek 
line should be : — 

' Ov 01 ®eol (fnXovfriv airo6in^(rK€L veos. 

He whom the Gods love, dies young. 

It is a fragment of a poem by Maenander, a comic poet, who 
died B.C. 290. Plautus says : " Quetn di diligunt adolescens 
moritur,^' a similar sentiment. The inscription as given 
herein is slightly altered, and reads : He whom God, etc. 



^4 



Dr. Bukebidge. 



32. Over the stalls, between the two north windows of 
the chancel, is a white marble TABLET bearing the following 
inscription : — 

Sacred to the memory of the Revd. 

Charles Buckeridge D.D. 

Archdeacon of Coventry tirst Canon Residentiary 

and Prsecentor of the Cathedral 

Church of Lichfield 

And sixteen years Minister of this Parish 

Died 28 Sept 1S27 aged 72. 
In the same vault are interred the Remains 

of his three children 

Margaretta born April 1800 died an infant. 

Mary Elizabeth born 10 Aug. 1797 

Died 7 Septr. 1810 aged 13 years. 

Charles Lewis born 3rd July 1802 

Died 7 Feb 1812 aged 9 years and 7 months. 

Elirabeth relict of the said Charles Buckeridge D.D. 

and daughter of the late Richard Slaney Esq. 

of Shiffnal in this County 

Died 13th Feb. 1S32 aged 69 years. 

Mr. H. F. J. Vaughan writes : " The Slaneys were much 
"connected with this neighbourhood, having been Lords of 
*'Donington for many generations, but I do not find one of 
" them v/ife of Dr. Buckeridge, who married a Miss Durant, 
*'and had two children buried at Tong." 






At> ^V <t> ^V At> At> ^V *^V ^t> ^t>^ '^t^ ^V ^?^ '^t^ 
ifi> ^i> ^!i> ^i> ^a"^ ^i"*" *'i'^ '^A''^ '^a'^ ^'i"* ^'>> *'*"^ ^a"* '*'a^ 

G"^!*^ G'^i'^c) o^'^ 'Sit) o^'^ 'oV'c) o"/c) o'/c) J (■'d oYc) o'/t) o ."c) o v'a o /O 

^V 'vV ^V ^-t^ '^V ^V <Y> ^V M-* ^V *.t>' ^V ^t> aV 

^i> *^A> '<iv ^^y^ ^+> '^A^* ''^♦^ ^-f^ *^y ^*> ^A> ''♦>< =*^*>* ^4^ 

VESTRY. 

VISITOR to Tong in 1763, describes this as " a 
detached building, now used as a Vestry." The- 
massive door has some carving, and in the upper 
part, three circular holes four or five inches in 
diameter (see iUustration) ; these are too small 
for "doles" to be given through, and although Mr. Cole re- 
marked that besides a church and a college there were along 
the street some almshouses, afterwards called by him a 





VESTRY DOOR. 

hospital, " which seems to have a chapel of its own," there is 
no reason to suppose it was a hospital for lepers, who, tO' 
avoid contagion, were accustomed to receive the consecrated 
elements through apertures provided for that purpose near 
the chancel. 



g6 Vestry Elcock brass, 1510. 

The two vestry windows are two-light ones, and differ from 
all the other windows in having no labels or tracery ; their 
forms are marked b}^ small sunk triangles similar to the 
sedilia. The stained glass formerly in the vestry window 
shewed the half-length figure of a King, very similar to the 
head of King Edward III. in the great east window of York 
Cathedral, date latter end of the 14th century, by John Thorn- 
ton, of Coventry, glazier."^ 

" The Vestry and Chancel doors have the four-centred arch^ 
and are not later insertions ; and these doors alone have 
spandrils." 

33. BRASS in two pieces to RALPH ELCOCK, 1510. 
This was for a long time in the Vestry, having been detached 
from the south wall of the south aisle (at the spot marked 
R E on plan). It is now fixed nearly in its old position. 

J^t'c jacct Katiulp!j3 ©Icack (Cekr cofriits I'gitis (CoUegii qui 
i^atus fail m btUa Slopfarliie infia Comitatu CDestrfe qui obiit in 
festo 0C£ kat£i-iu£ Firgmfe £t JHarter ^nno iunt iniUim0 ccccc tiwimo. 

Translation of inscription : — - 

Here lies Ralph Elcock, celerer and co-brother of this College, wha 
was born in the town of Stopford, in the county of Chester, who died on 
the tfeast of St. Katherine, Virgin and Martyr, in the year of our Lord on® 
thousand five hundred and ten. 

The " Celerer " had care of the provisions of the College. 

34. In the Vestry floor a small BRASS PLATE bears :— 

BENEATH 

ARE ENTOMBED THE REM.A.INS OF 

ARCHDK.\C0N BUCKERIDGE 

AND ELIZABETH HIS WIDOW 

ALSO OF 

CHARLES; LEWIS, MARY ELIZABETH, 

AND 

MARGARBTTA THEIR CHILDREN. 

(See tablet No. 32 ) 

• See Carttrt Architecture. j 25th November. 




^^lir larrt l^aiiilpFcM rrlre mfi-atifn^£Dlian 
qm nafaB hi iii biUfl [li^i^Dir nifra carai jatQ 
iTfliiF otnolJirt mfrftfrtfrKfltmnf ^iri^mis 
d mHiliT amio bin CDilliiu] imiMwo 



No. 33.— Ralph Elcock ^5<v pasre </,j. 



Minister's Diet, Horse, and Library. 97.. 

35. The LIBRARY, given by Lord Pierrepoint (see No. 
24), consisted of 410 volumes, including many scarce and 
valuable works. A catalogue of them was made under the 
direction of the late Mr. Beriah BotfielcJ, M.P., F.R.S., 
F.S.A., and a very few copies of it are in existence. The 
Duke of Kingston's deed for confirming Gervase Lord Pierre- 
point's settlement of several charities m Tong Parish, recites 
a deed of 23rd October, 1697, ^7 which Gervase granted as 
to dieting the minister at his own table, and allowing him hs.y 
for his horse, and keep ; and Lord Pierrepoint granted that 
the minister should enjoy a chamber in Tong Castle, as the 
same was then furnished with books and presses, and use of 
the said books, which were to be inserted in a catalogue. 

Still am I besy bokes assemblinge. 
For to have many is a pleasant thinge. 

May I a small house and large garden have, 
And a few friends and many books, both true, 
Both vrise, and both delightful too. 

Also, the minister to enjoy part of a stable for keeping the 
horse, and place over same for laying his hay, and between 
May-day and Michaelmas-d ly to graze his horse in Tong 
Park without paying for the same. 

In " Heayse's Accompts " occur : — 

i »■ d- 

1806. Marking CoflFers in the Church.. .. ,. .. .. ..026 

Printing a large board in the Vestry .. .. .. .. ..1116 

1807. Altering board in the Church .. .. .. .. ^ ..oio 

i8ia. Framing, boarding, and making, and materials ; a coal andcoak cupboard 

in the Vestry.. .. .. .. .. .. .. . . 3 ig o 

Making a ladder to go up to Libra .. .. .. .. ..ogfl 

1813. NewbottomingtheBierandrepd.it .. .. .. — ..059 

Painting and lengthening double doors in the Porch .. .. ..176 

Do. the Wicket with green .. .. .. ., .. ., o 11 6 

36. In a glass case is an ancient dalmatic or ecclesiastical 
VESTMENT of red velvet, embroidered and ornamented in 
gold and coloured silks, with cherubs in raised work, flowers, 
and other devices, and four scrolls, of which two I; ear mottoes : — 

OOR VNVM VIA VNA- (One heart, one wayj 



98 



Ecclesiastical Vestment. 



and two : — 

VSE BIEN TEMPS. (Use tim* well) 

It is considered a beautiful specimen of needlework, and is 
supposed to have been made by the n'uns at the Cloisters of 
St. Leonard of the Cistercian Order, for use in their Chapel 
{now called the White Ladies, and in ruins, a mile or two 
from Tong). It is said to be 300 years old. It was given by 
Lady Harries, and was used to a late period as a pulpit 
frontal. Size about six feet square. 




?»A5) QJ^S) (IAS eAS (1j\5 GAS Q^S) QJ<3 GAS dAi) GAS GAS GAS GAS 
•6Yc> <jrD G^fci 'o'fci GYc) G^/d GYi) G^fi) G^ri) GYt) GYc) GYc) GYD GYc) 
'VfA i^V '•'■V ^t> ^^V *!-* ^tA =«.V ^i'^ -.-^a; ^V 'V'*'^ ».^>- '^ry 
<4,> ^A> '^iV ift> ^4> ^i^y ^4> ^J^\ f'i^> Jt!f>^ >/;,v ^iy ^A> ^.'j.^ 
GAS GAS G^VS GAS 'G,VS GAS GAS G^VS G^VS 'GAS GAS GAS <LkS) ^\S) 
GYi) GY^ GYc) GYc) GYS GY3 GYS GTy^ GYS GYS GYc) GY3 G'^Q GYD 

TOWER AND BELFRY. 

fMMEDIATELY on opening- the door to ascend the steps 
the following curious lines will be seen in a frame 
which formerly hung on the outside face of this pillar, 
but were removed by direction of Bishop Lonsdale. 

11 If that to Ring you doe come here, 

You must ring well with hand and eare. 

keep streak of time and goe not out ; 

or else vou forfeit out of doubt. 
Our law is so concluded here ; 
For every fault a jugg of beer, 

if that you Ring with Spurr or Hat; 

a jugg of beer must pay for that. 
If that you take a Rope in hand ; 
These forfeits you must not withstand. 

or if that you a Bell ov'r-throw; 

It must cost Sixpence e're you goe. 
If in this place you sweare or curse ; 
Sixpence to pay, pull out your purse. 

come pay the Clerk it is his fee ; 

for one (that swears) shall not goe free. 
These laws are old, and are not new ; 
therefore the Clerk must have his due. 

GEO. HARISOM. 1694. 

Next to those at Culmington, the above are the oldest 
version in the county of Salop, of the familiar lines, 

" If anyone do wear his hat when he is ringing here."* 

The BELFRY itself contains eight bells, one, the Great 
Bell, in the lower stage, and seven in the upper stage of the 
tower. 

The GREAT BELL was given to Tong by Sir Harry Vernon 
(Governor to Arthur, Prince of Wales), and "a rent out of 
his Manor of Norton for the tolling of it, when any Vernon 
comes to Tong." A tradition runs that Sir Harry was once 
benighted in the immense forest of Brewood, but the bells of 
Tong led his steps in the direction whence the sound pro- 
ceeded, and so he reached his Castle in safety, in gralilude 

• Report of visit of Shrop. Archae. Soc. to Tong, July 8, 1878. 

L.cfC. 



100 The Great Bell of Tong. 

for which he gave "the Great Bell." Mr. Cox (1720), says 
"the Inhabitants here boast of nothing- more at present than 
a great Bell, famous in these Parts for its bigness." 

It originally weighed 2 tons iS cwt., and measured 6 yards 
round. It weighed 41^2 cwt. in 1892. 

Inscription on the upper rim : — 

HENRICVS VERNON MILES ISTAM CAMPANAM FIERI FECIT, 1518 AD 
LAVDEM DEI OMNIPOTENTIS BEAT/E MARINE ET STL BARTHOLOMiEI.* 

On the lower rim : — 

QVAM PERDYELLIONVM RABIE FRACTAM SVMPTIBVS PAROCHIiE 
REFVDIT. 

ABR RVDHALL, GLOCEST: ANNO 1720. L. PIETIER, MIN., T. WOOD- 
SHAWT, T. PEYNTON. ^DITVIS. 

Following the precedents of 1518 and 1720, an 1892 in- 
scription has been added in the centre : — 

EANDEM VETy.STATE lAiM FATISCENTEM DENUO CONFLANDAM ET 
REPONENDAM CURAVIT ORLANDO GEORGIUS CAROLIUS COMErf DE 
BRADFORD VICARIO JOANNE COURTNEY CLARKE— mdcccxcii. 

TRANSLATION OF INSCRIPTIONS. 

Henry Vernon Knight c.iused this bell to be made 1518 to the glory of God Almighty 
the Blessed Mary and St. Bartholomew. 

Which having been broken through the m«dness of enemies, was recast at the expense 
ot the parish, [by] Abr. Rudhall, Gloucester, in the year 1720. L. Pietier, Minister, T. 
Woodshawt, T. Peynten, Churchwardens. 

Orlando George Charles, Earl of Bradford, took care that this same bell, now cr^ked 
with age, should be cast anew and replaced ; John Courtney Clarke being Vicar, 1892. 

The Great Bell was broken by the Parliamentary forces 
(the Roundheads and Puritans) in the time of King Charles I., 
probably in 1635, for in the Churchwardens' accounts ,are 
entries'^ : — 

1635. " For hanging the Great B«ll anew," 

1636. "For a piece of metal broken off the Great Bell," £i I2S. 8d. 

1641. " Fetching a strike for the Great I^ell." 

1652. "Peese of Rope for the Great Bell," 3s. 

After being recast at the expense of the parish (as recorded 
by the inscription), it remained entire until the first Wednes- 
day in Lent [Ash Wednesday], 1848, when, while ringing for 
divine service, it cracked through the word "Woodshawt," 

• Tho words " et Sti H rto'. jmaei " appeared to hare been inserted later, between the 
beginning and end of the otuer lettering. 



RovAL Visits to Toxg. lor 

probably in consequence of a defective clapper having been 
"made to strike the rim too near the edge. 

Its weight now is 50 cwt. , and diameter 5ft. 2in. The 
framework has been entirely renovated. 

The illustration is kindly furnished by Mr. Taylor, of 
Loughborough, the Bell-founder who re-cast it. 

Once during recent years it was tolled in accordance with 
the donor's directions, viz. : when the late Lord Vernon came 
over from Weston Park to Tong Church a few years ago. He 
was a descendant of Sir Harry. The visits of the Vernons 
are now so rare that tradition has, I suppose, supplemented 
Sir Harry's request by requiring the great bell to be rung 
when " Royalty or a Vernon comes to Tong," and thrice 
recently have Royal Princesses visited Tong, in company 
with the Countess of Bradford, whose gueats they were, viz : 
— on December 17,, 1872, H.R.H. Princess Christian (Princess 
Helena, Her Majesty's third daughter), and in' the first week 
of November, 1869, H.R.H. The Duchess of Teck (Princess 
Mary of Cambridge). The old bell was last tolled upon the 
death-day of that much-mourned prince, the Duke of 
Clarence and Avondale. Only a few months before then, 
the Princess " May ^* had visited this church with her 
mother, H.R.H. the Duchess of Teck, and Lady Bradford, 
and was shown by the Vicar the interesting features of the 
place. Since then Her Royal Highness — now gladly known 
as the Duchess of York — has again been at Tong. 

The following lines, which H.R.H. once wrote, give us a 
glimpse of her kind and sympathetic nature : — 

If each man in his measure 

Would bear a brother's part. 
To cast a ray of sunshine 

Into a brother's heart. 
How changed would be our country, 

How changed would be our poor. 
And then would "Merry England" 

Deserve ber name once more. 



102 The Bells of Tong. 

In the upper bell story: — 

The smallest, and probably the oldest of all the bells, is the 
one on the south-west side of the octagon, " ye sanctus bell." 
It is i4in. in diameter, and around the upper rim is a band 
into which are introduced two fleurs-de-lis alternately with 
two cross-crosslets, equi-distant. I can find no lettering on 
the bell, but the French fleur-de-lis and the cross-crosslet 
suggest its association with Sir William Vernon, Treasurer of 
Calais, and his wife. [See Tomb 14.] The priest's or 
"sanctus" bell was generally hung at the west end of the 
nave, and dates as early as the 13th century. The other six 
bells form the regular peal, whose melodious notes are heard 
each Sabbath-day. 

Taking the BELLS in the order of their dates : — 

On the north side of the octagon is a bell bearing — 

PRAISE THE LOROD 1593. 

On the bell on the east side — 

GLORIA IN EXCELSVS 1623 W.C. 
(Glory in the highest). 

The initials are probably those of one Chalmer, a bell- 
founder. 

On the east-centre bell — 

StocEtlg tolling, men bo rail 
STo taste on meats tljat fccbe tfje soule. 
1605. 
and a Latin cross with the letters f^.©. on each side of it, and 
a crescent and mullet outside those letters. 

These initials are believed to be those of a bell-founder, 
Henry Oldfield, of Nottingham, who helped to re-cast the 
Great Tom of Lincoln. 

On the west bell — 

GLORIA IN EXCELSVS DEO 1636. 

On the west-centre bell — 

PEACE AND GOOD NEIGHBOURHOOD A.R. 1719. 




The Great Bell of Tong. 



The Bells of Tong, 103. 

The initials are those of Abraham Rudhall, the well-knowit 
bell-founder of Gloucester, who brought the art to great per- 
fection in 1684. A bell is also shewn between the above 
initials and date. The Eccleston register records a payment 
of two shillings for a bottle of wine for Mr. Rudhall, bell- 
founder. 

On the south bell, the tenor bell — 

THOMAS MEARS OF LONDON iSia 

Bells have been in use since the 7th century, and were 
anciently prohibited from being rung- in time of mourning. 
The " passing bell/' which in some places still tolls for the 
dead (a note for every year of the deceased person's age), was 
intended to advertise good Christians to pray for the soul just 
departing. 

There sterns to be no bell at Tong with a Greek inscription^ 
as some have said ; nor any bell with a Latin inscription com- 
mencing " Virgo regina," given by William Fitzherbert. 

A cornice of an old screen, or perhaps a. relic of the old 
Gothic organ case, remains in the belfry. 

It is a peculiar arrangement that the ringers should have tc^ 
stand in the centre of the Church floor to ring, but there 
is no alternative. Their names are: — George Henry 
Boden, treble ; Henry Smith, second ; John Ore, senior, 
third ; John Ore, junior, fourth; Richard Bellingham, fifth ; 
and Fred Haighway, tenor bell. The great bell of Tong is 
toned C sharp, and only rung on certain special occasions ; 
it requires two men to set it. 

OUTSIDE THE CHURCH. 

37. There are some rude CROSSES cut in the stonework 
beneath the east window of the south aisle. This window has 
a sweeping cornice springing off heads. It may be the chancel 
window of the earlier church. 



I04 Niches — St. Chrysom's Cemetery. 

38. In the buttresses at the north-east corner of chancel 
are elaborate NICHES, which contahied the fissures of saints 
in early days, and were placed at the side ot the church 
nearest to the high road. 

39. ST. CHRYSOM'S CEMETERY— The burial place 
of unbaptized children. A Maltese cross of red sandstone 
bears the well-known and appropiate verses on the side facing 
the road : — 

But snve the cross above my head 
Be neither name or emblem spread 
By prying stranger to be read 
Or st«y,the passing pilgrim's tread. 

Byron. 

Weep not for those whom the veil of the tomb, 

In life's happy morning hath hid from our eyes ; 
Ere sin threw a blight on the spirit's 3oung bloom 

Or earth had profaned what was born for the skies. 
Death chill'd the fair fountain ere sorrow had stain'd it, 

'Twas frozen in all the pure light of its course, 
And but sleeps till the sunshine, of heaven has unchained it. 
To water that Eden where first was Its source. 

(T. Moore.) 
Like the last beam of evening thrown 
On a white cloud— just seen and gone. 

On the side of this cross facing the church — 

(3.T3. 

H. M. E. 

1823. 

CHRISOME, in the office of Baptism, was a white vesture, which in 
former times the priest used to put upon the child, saying, " Take this 
white vesture for a token of innocence." 

By a constitution of Edmond, Archbishop cf Canterbury, a.d. 736, the 
Chrisomes, after having served the purpose of baptism, were to be made 
use of only for the making or mending of surplices, Sec, or for the wrap- 
ping of chalices. The first Common Prayer Book of King Edward orders 
that the woman shall offer the Chrisome, when she comes to be churched ; 
but, if the child happens to die before her churching, she was excused 
from offering it ; and it was customary to use it as a shroud, and to wrap 
the child in it when it was buried. Hence, by an abuse of words, the term 
is now used not to denote children who die between the time of thei^ 
baptism and the churching of the mother, but to denote children who die 
before they are baptized, and so are incapable of Christian burial.* 

• Note from Hook's Ohurch Dictionary, sent by the Rev. J. H. C. Clarke. 



Civil Wars. 105 

40. The north doorway, and indeed the entire north wall 
of the nortli aisle, exhibit numerous CANNON BALL 
MARKS, some of which have been filled up with mortar. 
These are a lasting record of the Parliamentarian's hatred 
against the Church. With their cannon well planted on the 
old mound (now called Castle Hill), at Tong Norton,! 
they devised the destruction of both castle and church. An 
intermediate earthwork (b}?^ the upper water-carrier) possibly 
saved the castle from damage, but I cannot help thinking, as 
before remarked, that the preservation of the castle, and the 
beautiful monuments in the church, must have been due to 
the friendship and regard Oliver Cromwell had for Mr* 
Pierrepoint and his wife Elizabeth. The feeling cannot be 
mistaken when we call to mmd that during the Common- 
wealth, Christmas-day was ordered to be regarded as a super- 
stitious festival. The holly and mistletoe bough were ordered 
to be cut up root and branch as plants of the Evil One. 
Cakes and ale were held to be impious libations to super- 
stition ; and in 1647 Cromwell's party ordered, by the mouth 
of the common crier, that Christmas-day should no longer be 
observed, it being a superstitious and hurtful custom, and that 
in place thereof, and more effectually to work a change' 
markets should be held on 25th December. 

In the churchyard a SUN-DIAL bears — 

THOS: ORE 
FECIT 1776. 

a surname still lingering in the parish in the family of a lusty 
bricklayer. Thomas Ore was one of the seven jury of the 
Manor of Tong, who perambulated the Boundary, as described 
later. 

t Mr. W. Phillips, F.L.S., cf Shrewsbury, is of opinion this is an ancient Tumulus. 



^^ 



^ 




MINISTER'S LIBRARY AT TONG. 

FIE chief feature of the Library is a collection 
of Councils of the Popes, 37 volumes, folio, in 
vellum coverings : " Conciliorum Pontificum 
Decretum MisceUaneorum Ah Anno 34 Ad Annum 
1623 cum Indicibus IV. Paris Typ. Peg. 1644." 
The other works are bound in calf, and were chiefly printed 
in the i6th and '17th centuries ; there are a few of the 15th 
and i8th centuries also. Mr. Botfield says, " The biblio- 
grapher will look in vain for any work of surpassing interest ; 
they form, however, a useful library of reference for the 

theological student When the means of 

locomotion were few, and the sources of information were 
scanty, this local library argues a degree of intelligence and 
refinement unknown in other and less favoured districts," and 
he concludes that this was one of the earliest to enjoy the 
blessings of religion, and the benefits of learning. Among the 
other books the following may be named as interesting and 
valuable : — 

Augustino Marlorata. '^ Testamenti Expositio CathoUca 
Ecclesiastica Ex Prohcdis Theologis, 1593. 

Beza, Theodoi'us (a great Lutheran commentator). De 
Trinitate Geneuce, 1560. 

Brett, LL.D. (an English commentator). Liturgies used by 
the Church in celebration of the Holy Eucharist. London, 
1720, 

Citrleton. Collection of the Great Deliverances of the 
Church since the beginning of Queen Elizabeth's reign. 
London, 1627. 

Drexelius, Jeremiah (a famous commentator). 13 volumes, 
dating 1630 to 1655. 

Erasmus (a well-known name). 7 volumes, 1540 — 1641. 

Gaule, John. The Magicall Astrologicall Diviner Posed 
and Puzzled. London, 1652. 



Minister's Library. 107 

Moulin^ Petei'. Buckler of the Faith. London, 1623. 

Perkins. Declaration showing how near we may come to 
the Church of Rome, and wherein we must for ever depart 
from it. Cambridge, 1398. 

Ross, Alcvtinder. Mystagogus Poeticus, or the Muses' In- 
terpreter. London, 1648. 

Stockwood, John. Disputationes Pueriles. Tunbridgise, 1606. 

Test amentum Orcecum et Latinum, cura TJi. Sezce. Genevae, 
i6ir. 

TIdnll, John. Hebrew Grammar. Amsterdam, 1648. 

The Library is referred to under No. 35. It consisted of 
554 Volumes and is understood to have been added to by Mr. 
Peitier, a former IMinister. 



MONUMENTS FORMERLY IN TONG CHURCH. 

Near the spot marked R. E. on plan was a large red stone 
to the memory of William and Elizabeth SCOTT, who died in 
1694 ^"^ 1700 respectively. This is not now to be seen. 
Were these of the familyof Scot of Scot Hall, Cosford, andTong 
Norton, otherwise the Heath, Shifnal, whose daughter Mary 
married Francis Forester, d, 1652 ? 

And near the West Door were two other monuments, not 
now visible. One, an alabaster slab to William CLAY, who 
died in 1735. The other, to WilUam TAYLOR, of Staple- 
ford, who died at the Castle in 1733. 

Mr. Abraham Hare, of Bridgnorth, wrote the follovv'ing 
epitaph to the memory of his daughter buried at Tong. He 
was described by the European Magazine of 1789 as " an un- 
*' tutored son of the Muses," and was an excise ofScer : — 

Here lies the the bodj- of Lucy Hare 
Who departed this life 1783 aged 19 yenrs. 

" In solemn silence, sweet repose, 
Virtue and youth these stones inclose, 
The sacred puth of truth she trod, 
Death snatched her hence to meet her God; 
Eternal ]o\ s, through Christ, to share, 
Prepar'd for all as Lucy Hare." 



io8 THE COMMUNION PLATE. 

Consists of the Ciborium described on page 60, the gift of 
Lady Harries. 

A Pocket- Service of Silver. The cup about two and a half 
inches high, engraved with I H S within a gloria. The plate 
about three inches in diameter, similarly engraved, and having, 
in addition, the donor's name 

@. JDurant, EanQ (Emtlt, 1839. 

A Silver Cup, five inches high, quite plain, on short low 
stem, and apparently very old. 

A Silver Ewer, with dragon-head spout, twelve and a half 
inches high. Except a little chasing round the base, and the 
lid-rest, which is a cherub's face, the vessel is a plain one ; 
probably the gift of Lady Harries. 

A Silver Plate, about nine inches across, bears : — " The gift 
of George Durant, Tong Castle, 1839," beneath a fleur-de-lis, 
his crest. 

A Silver Plate, somewhat smaller, with the shield of the 
Harries family. 

There is also a white enamel portable Font, consisting of an 
octagonal receptacle, and a lid. The former has, on each face 
of the octagon, a quatrefoil, and rests upon four feet set 
cardinally. From the centre of the lid rises a cross (with 
quatrefoil at the intersection), while from its foot radiate the 
crocketed divisions of the octagonal lid. Size, seven inches in 
diameter ; eight and a half inches high. 

Note.— I believe a few years ago there was, in addition, a handsome walnut or rosewood 
alms dibh, with fret-work cover, and underneath it a brass plate recording the name of 
the donor. Mrs. Harding, wife of one of the perpetual Curates ol Tong. 



EXTERIOR OF THE CHURCH. 

The following notes, from tJie Brit. Archoeol. Journal, are re- 
counted for the benefit of those visitors more deeply interested 
in architectural study and pursuits : — 

The ground had been terraced up previously. 



Exterior of the Church. '109 

Base-moulding is varied by breaks, uniform, except at 
Chapel. 

Both ends are finished with embattled parapet ; central 
raised in two stages. 

Vestry is gabled. No parapet. 

Pinnacles, square section. Delicate embattled horizontal 
strings, instead of gables or canopies, their faces being set 
cardinally. Not crocketed. Well-executed finial, suitable to 
the building. 

Nave has no clerestory. 

Aisles have no parapets. 

There has been a large pinnacle at each west angle. 

Central buttresses had crosses, as the sockets are there. 

South porch is embattled. Small pinnacles. 

Belfry is rectilinear, and octagonal. On each slope is a 
small pinnacle. Lower part has the great bell, and a window 
of two lights, N. and S. Others plain, square-headed. Doors 
opening on to the leads. No weather moulding to indicate 
that the Church was ever higher. Octagon contains the peal 
of bells, and windows of two lights on the cardinal sides. 

Spire at half-height is encircled by spire-lights, ending each 
in a crocketed finial or pinnacle, those only on the cardinal 
sides being pierced. 

Chancel is divided on south side by bold buttresses into 
three compartments. Each has a beautiful three-light window, 
the base of central one being slightly raised to allow of a door. 

North side is different. It shows the Vestry to be a part of 
the original design. It is nearly equally divided in two by 
west wall of Vestry, to which a buttress corresponds. 

Principal mullions in Chancel windows are of the first order ; 
the secondary mullions of the second order. In the rest of 



no 



Exterior of the Church. 



the windows throughout the Church, the tracery is of one 
order. 

Arches of windows are mostly two-centred, and differ but 
sHghtly in their forms (though less pointed), from the 
equilateral. 

Buttresses of Chancel are finished with a pinnacle, and 
have well-executed gargoyles, or figures of monsters, with 
mouths pierced for waterspouts. The east angles of Chancel 
have each two buttresses, and double pinnac'es. 

There are 17 gargoyles altogether, viz., 7 to Chancel roof, 
2 to the South Porch, 2 to the Golden Chapel, 2 at the West 
Ead, and 4 on the Tower. 

And every house covered was with lead, 
And many a gargoyle, and many a hideous head, 
With spouts through, and pipes, as they ought. 
From the stonework, to the kennel rought. 

Lydgatf'i Boke of Troy. 

The Kennel means crenelle or loophole. As late as Henry 
VIII's. reign, no man dared to have his house crenellated with- 
out royal licence. 






TONG COLLEGE. 

HE following particulars are extracted from Bishop 

Tanne-'s notes, 1744 — original date 1695. The 

Licence for the foundation of the College was in 

12 Hen. IV. The Statutes and Ordinances for 

the Government of the College, dated 9 March 14 ro, were 

confirmed by the Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield, 27 March 

1411. 

King Henry IV., in the 12th year of his reign, in considera- 
tion of £^0 received, granted his licence to Elizabeth, relict 
of Fulk de Pembrugge, Knight, Wm. Shaw, Clerk, and 
William Morse (or Mosse), Clerk, to acquire of the Abbot and 
Convent of Shrewsbury the Advowson and Patronage of the 
Church of St. Bartholomew the Apostle at Tcnge in Shrop- 
shire, of the Diocese of Coventry and Lichfield, for them to 
have and to hold, reserving to the said Abbot and Convent an 
annual Pension they were us'd to receive of £0 6s. 8d. 

And the said Elizabeth, Wm. Shaw, and Wm. Morse, 
when seized of same, to convert the said Church into a per- 
petual and incorporate College of 5 Chaplains, more or less, 
one of whom to be by them appointed Warden of the said 
College. And that the said Persons might assign to the 
College so founded a Messuage with its Appurtenances in the 
said Town of Tonge ; the aforesaid Advowson and Patronage, 
as also the Advowson and Patronage of the Parish Church 
of St. Mary of Orlyngbere in Co. Northampton and Diocese 
of Lichfield ; and two Messuages, 2 roods of Land, and 4 
acres ot Meadow, with the Appurtenances, at Shameford in 



112 ToNG College. 

Co. Leicester ; with the reversion of the Manor of Gilden 
Mcrton in the Count}' aforesaid, after the Death of Margaret, 
the wife of WilHam Newport, who had same for her Life ; and 
the said Master and Chaplains to hold and possess all the 
Premises, and to be a IJody Corporate by the name of the 
College of St. Bartholomew the Apostle at Tong. Likewise 
that the said Elizabeth, Wni. Shaw, and Wm. Morse, when 
the said College was actually founded, might give the 
Patronage and Advowson of the same to Richard de 
Pembruge and the Heirs of his Body. 

King Henry V , at the Parliament at Leicester,* at the 
request of Elizabeth, relict of Fulk Pembrugge, gave and 
granted to the Warden and Chaplains of the Church of St. 
Bartholomew the Apostle at Tonge, the Town and Manor or 
Grange of Lappeley, commonly called the Priory of Lappeley, 
with all appurtenances, and the Church of Lappeley, once 
part of the Possessions of the Abbot and Monastery of St. 
Remigius at Rheims, seized into the hands of King Edward 
on account of the war with France, and had been farmed out 
to the Prior of Lappeley at 42 marks per annum, free of all 
impositions whatsoever. 

King Henry IV., in the twelfth year of his reign, i.e., 1410, 
granted the Licence for Tong College. It will be well to re- 
call a few historical incidents of the time. Henry IV. was 
not the rightful heir to the Crown, on the deposition of 
Richard II., although he had been the principal means of the 
despot's overthrow. The Houses of Parliament, however, 
admitted his claim, and the House of Lancaster was allowed 
to add a large share of laurel to British History. It was just 
at this time that the Commons made a considerable advance 
in importance and authority. Counsellors were appointed, by 
whose sole advice the King was to be guided. Various 

• It will be remembered that Sir Richard Vernon, Elizabetli's son-in-law, was Speaker 
of this Parliament. 



ToNG College. 113 

articles were agreed to regulating the grants of money, courts 
of justice, elections of knights for counties, &c., and other 
provisions made, '.vhich were " of themselves a noble fabric of 
constitutional liberty." Justices of the peace were first 
appointed in this reign. Nevertheless the statute book was 
marred by the Law for the burning of heretics ; and in 1401 
V\^illiam Salter, a clergyman, was burned to death in Smith- 
field, London, because he refused to worship the Cross, and 
denied that the bread in the sacrament was transubstantiated. 

Wycliffe, in order to promote his views, had sanctioned the 
employment of wandering preachers, called "poor priests," 
men that, after the manner of the ancient religious orders, 
traversed the country and preached to the common people 
assembled at fairs and markets. Hence grew up a sect called 
" Lollards " (from " lullen," to sing with a subdued voice). 
The Clergy held that the movement ought to be crushed, and 
so the statute was passed, and the persecution of the Lollards 
went on in this and the succeeding reign. In the latter, how- 
ever, the King was disinclined to persecution. " Many 
bishops were still accused of slackness in the persecution, and 
it should be mentioned to their honour. The prisons in 
Bishops' houses, which had been simply places of confinement, 
were now often provided with instruments of torture." At 
Woburn, in the palace there was a cell in the bishop's prison 
called " Little-Ease," because it was so small that those con- 
fined in it could neither stand upright nor lie at length." 
" The same law, which transferred to the Church the power 
of life and death, left a discretion with the ordinary of fine and 
imprisonment ; and frequently those convicted of heresy were 
doomed to the sentence formerly inflicted by the Church for 
homicide, of perpetual imprisonment within the wall of a 
monastery. It is possible that in such abodes they may have 
been sometime the blessed instruments of imparting divine 
truth to the companions of their sojourn ; but if we may judge 



114 ToNG College. 

of the feelings towards them by Walsingham and other 
monks of the time, we may well imagine how with such 
keepers, they ate and drank the bread and water of affliction. 
Others were burned on the cheek with a hot iron, which, if 
they dared to hide, they were liable tu be burnt as relapsed 
heretics ; or were condemned to wear the device of a faggot 
worked upon the sleeve of their clothing, in token of their 
narrow escape from burning. '* Not until the reign of 
Charles II. was the practice finally abolished. 

The writer has an iron body-ring covered with leather, to 
which two wristlets are appended to hold the arms, fixed at 
the sides. It seems similar to the rings which victims wore 
formerly, when being dragged on a hurdle by a horse to the 
scene of execution. 

To the credit of Sir Thomas More, the pious statesman and 
Chancellor of Henry VIII., Erasmus, his friend, distinctly 
testifies, no man was put to death " for Protestant dogmas 
while More was Chancellor"; though his staunch adherence 
to the Roman Catholic religion, and his denial of the King's 
supremacy, as head of the Church in England, brought his 
head to the block in 1535. 

This period is remarkably interesting to Englishmen. The 
year which saw Sir Thomas More's execution sounded the 
death-knell of Tong College ; it saw the first English transla- 
tion of the Bible, namely Coverdale's, in 1535 ; it saw the 
commencement of Henry VIII's great act of spoliation, the 
destruction of the Monasteries and all their rich treasures ; 
Tong being one of the 90 Colleges destroyed. The revenues of 
the destroyed Colle;^es, Monasteries, and Hospitals (645 in 
number), amounted to ;^i6o,ooo, or one-twentieth of the 
National income. The word " protestants " was just coined 
from the action of 14 cities and 6 princes in "protesting" 

• Massingberd. 




Sir Thomas More 

{From a Painting in possession of the Author). 



ToNG College. 115 

against further changes in religion; while disciples of Bass and 
AUsopp must look back to that period with tender regard as the 
date of the introduction of Hops, and the wearers of Mail had 
cause to rejoice in the disappearance of Bows and Arrows. 
In 1536 Parish Registers were established. Sir Thomas 
More, the man of inflexible integrity, whom no motives could 
seduce nor honours corrupt, was the guest and retainer of 
Holbein, and the famous drawings at Windsor by that artist, 
who is supposed to have designed the Tong ciborium, — are 
principally of More and his friends. By his indefatigable 
application as Chancellor not a cause was left undetermined. 
His character has been much mis-represented by F"oxe and 
Bishop Burnet, while ail his contemporaries describe him as 
being of a singularly amiable disposition, and unaffectedly 
and sincerely pious. 

1416. King Henry V. attaches the town or Manor and 

Grange of Lapley in Staffordshire with its Church 
or Priory, and all the Revenues thereunto apper- 
taining being heretofore part of the possessions 
of the Abbey of St. Rcmigius at Rheimes in 
Champeigne in France, provided that the 
Vicarage of the Church of Laply be sufficiently 
endowed, and a competent sum allowed to the 
Poor of the Parish. 

1535. (26 Hen. VIII.) College rated (valued) at £,^^ 8 i 

1546. AtthedissolutionofReligious Houses, Sir Richard 

Manners was appointed Commissioner for the 
Sale of Tong College, and sold it to James 
Woolrich for ;^2oo. The deed confirming 
Sir Richard's power to effect the sale — signed by 
King Edward VI. and Lord Protector Somerset 
— was in perfect preservation at Tong Castle 
not long ago. 



ii6 ToNG College Rules. 

1649. J. Woolrich's heirs sold the College to William 

Pierrepont, proprietor of Tong Castle. 

1763. Visit of Mr. W. Cole. The Duke of Kingston's 

seat is at Tong Castle. The ancient College 
where the Clergy lived is mostly demolished, 
and what remains is partly inhabited by some 
poor people, and partly converted into a stable. 
(Gents Mag.) At the West end of the Church 
there are Alms houses for six poor widows, who 
have 40s., a shift and gown per annum. 
1774. Duke of Kingston sold Estate to Mr. George 

Durant. 
The above-mentioned Elizabeth, William Shaw, and William 
Mosse, founders of this College in the year 1410, appointed 
Statutes and Ordinances to be for ever observed in this 
College, which were confirmed, 141 1, by John, Bishop of 
Coventry and Lichfield, the Purport whereof is as follows : — 

" That there should be in the said College 5 Priests, having 
no other Benefices excepting the Warden, who might have 
any One of the Said Priests to be the Warden, and the rest 
obedient to him, and another Sub- Warden. 

That there should be also 2 proper Clerks for the Service 
of the Church. 

Also 13 Poor maintained by the College, 7 of which so 
infirm that they could not help themselves. 

The Warden to be named by the Foundress Elizabeth during 
her life, and presented to the Bishop of Coventry and Lich- 
field, and afterwards to be chosen by the Chaplains. 

In case the Chaplains disagreeing, a Warden should not 

be chosen in 15 days, then the right of nomination to devolve 

.to the Patron ; if he name not in 4 months then to belong to the 

Bishop, who not doing it in a month, it should pass to the 



ToNG College Rules. 117 

Chapter of Lichfield, and they neglecting it in 15 days, lastly 
the choice should belong to the Archbishop of Canterbury. 

Every Chaplain to be admitted by a majority of the Wardens 
and Chaplains, and to be in the nature of a novice for the 
first year, at the end whereof, if found fitting by the greater 
number, to be received by them. 

None to be Warden or Chaplain but a Priest, and of un- 
spotted life and conversation. 

If, upon the vacancy of a Chaplain's place, another were 
not received by the master in three months, the Deficiency to 
be supplied by the Bishop. 

The Poor of the College to be appointed by Elizabeth the 
Foundress aforesaid during her Life, and after her Death by 
the Warden ; not to be removed again without just Cause. 

Every new Warden before his Admission to swear he will 
faithfully execute the said office, and observe the Statutes. 

Sub- Warden to take the like Oath. 

The Chaplains when incorporated to swear Obedience to the 
Wardens, and to observe the Statutes and defend the rights 
of the College. 

The Warden within 2 months after his admission to make 
an exact Inventory of all that belongs to the College, and to be 
afterwards accountable yearly. 

The Sub-Warden to have the management of all things 
when there is no Warden. 

The Warden to hear the Confessions of the Chaplains. 

The Warden not to be non-resident above two months in a 
year, nor any of the Chaplains above one, unless it be upon the 
Business of the College, nor ever to be absent from Divine 
Service. 



ii8 ToNG College Rules. 

The Warden to appoint one of the Chaplains to have the 
Care of the Parish, and he to be called Parochial Chaplain, 
and another of them to teach the Clerks and Ministers of the 
College, as also the Children of that and other neighbouring 
Towns to read, sing, and their Grammar, for which he to be 
allowed a Mark a year extraordinary. 

The Mattins to be sung early in the morning ; the Mass and 
other Hours at their proper times ; with many other ordinances 
about the performing of the Divine Service. 

If any of the Poor be so sick and weak that they cannot go 
to the Church to hear Mass, then a Chaplain to be appointed 
to say Mass in the Chapel in the House, 3 times a week. 

Several Anniversaries to be dutifully kept in the Church. 

Every poor person, unless hindered by sickness, to hear one 
or two Masses every Day. 

The Warden and Chaplains to be uniform in their decent 
Habit in the Church according to the Use of the Church of 
Sarum, and every Chaplain to furnish himself with Habit, 
and any of them coming into the Church to Divine Service 
not so habited, to be punished as absent. 

The Warden and Chaplains to live in a Community in the 
same House, each having a Chamber apart, and if they speak 
to one another to do it lowly. The Warden to keep the keys 
of the outward Doors at night. The Warden and Chaplains 
to eat at one Table, and the Warden to say Grace. Meat and 
Drink to be modestly distributed. One of the Chaplains to 
be yearly or quarterly appointed Steward. Provisions always 
to be laid in at proper seasons. Strangers to be but seldom 
brought into the house ; and women never, though the most 
virtuous, or at least very rarely, upon Extraordinary Occasions, 
and if th;iy be suspicious persons on no account whatsoever. 



ToN3 College Rules. iij^ 

If any dined there at the upper table, he who invited him to 
pay 3d. if at the lower 5 farthings If Provisions should be 
dear, or the Dig-nity of the Guest require it, the Charge to be 
proportionately rated ; but if any person were brought in to 
eat, for the Benefit of the College, the Charge to be defrayed 
out of the Public Stock. No Priest to bring any person tO' 
Table above one day unless it were a Friend or Relation that 
came from some remote part. 

No Priest or Clerk to use Hunting or Hawking, nor to 
keep any Dog for sport, and any transgression after three 
admonitions, to be expelled without Noise. 

The Warden and Chaplains to be decently Cloath'd and 
uniformly, once a year, and the Clerks in like manner. 

The Warden to be allow'd 10 Marks a year for his Cloathing 
and expenses besides Diet ; each Clerk 4 Marks besides Diet, 
and other profits for Obits, &c. 

Clerks and other Choristers to be allowed according to their 
Ability. 

The Sub-Warden, the Chaplain that has the cure of the 
Parish, the Steward, — A a Mark above their Constant allowance 
for a year or in proportion for a shorter time. 

TheWarden and Chaplains strictly forbid granting or selling 
any Pensions, Corrodies, or Immovables belonging to the 
College. 

Any one consenting to such Pension, *Corrody, or Aliena- 
tion, to be expelled the College unless the same were done by 
the Diocesan for the Benefit of the said College, or upon 
some other necessary occasion. 

The Brethren disabled either by Age or Sickness to be 
charitably maintained, and not to be expell'd on that account, 

• Au allowance of food and Clcthins allowed by an .\bb3t to the King for the maintenance 
of one of bis servants.— Ha/iiu/*//. 



I20 ToNG College Rules, 

but only for crime committed, or in case anyone have other- 
wise got temporal Possessions to the value of 6 marks a 
year. 

When the Brethren meet in their Chapter after the business 
relating to the same, they are to enquire whether any Faults 
have been committed since their last meeting ; then, and if 
any appears, the same are to be chastised by the Warden, or 
Sub-Warden. 

Grievous crimes not to be punished but the Warden being 
present, unless he were long away, and the Delay might be 
dangerous. But if the case were doubtful, his Return to be 
expected. Yet if it were such a crime to cause Irregularity, 
the Party to be immediately expelled as in the case of Murder 
or the like. 

Yet for Adultery, Perjury, Theft, or the like, which might 
admit of Re-admissions, after due penance performed, the 
Party having made his humble confession before the Brethren, 
to be again restored If it be Fornication, Drunkenness, or 
the Like, offender to be twice corrected by the Warden or Sub- 
Warden, and the third time to be expelled. 

The same to be observed in relation to the Poor. 

If the Warden should be guilty of such offence, the Brothers 
twice to exhort him to correct the same, and three times to 
accuse him to the Bishop to be punished by him canonically, 

and if after such Punishment he does not amend, then to be 

expell'd by the Ordinary. 

If any Chaplain would of his own accord leave the College, 
he should give 6 months' Warning, and if he did not then, to 
lose his Allowance for those 6 months. 

No seizure to be made by the Patrons or their Heirs during 
any Vacancy, &c. 



CoLLBGB Rules, Seal, &c. 121 

The Clerks to serve the Warden at Table, and to eat at a 
Second Table ; as also to see Harvest brought in at proper 
season at such Hours as they are not to attend Divine Service. 
Each poor person admitted into the College to receive Diet, 
Cloathing, and other necessaries, i Mark Sterling in Money 
or the value, besides their Dwelling house with other profits 
of the Gift of the Faithful. 

A Lamp to be kept burning before the High Altar, and 
Candles to be furnished for the Divine Service, &c. 

The College to have a Common Seal for their Common 
Business, with the Image of St. Bartholomew the Apostle, as 
also that of a Knight on one side, and a Lady on the other, 
kneeling, and the Coat of Arms of Fulk Pen-.brugge, Knight, 
and of his wife Elizabeth, the Foundress, in the same Seal, 
under the feet of the aforesaid Apostle, and about the same 
written, " The Common Seal of St. Baitholomew at Tonge." 
The same to be kept under two different Keys in a Chest with 
the Writings and Treasure of the College. 

The above Statutes and Ordinances, dated 2 March, 1410, 
for the Government of the College, were very salutary and 
severe. 

;^5o equal to a large sum of present money. 

" Shaw," a name still applied to some of the richest 
land in Tong Parish, in fact the " Shaw Lane " where there 
are some old Cottages, is called by "the oldest inhabitant " 
" The Prior's Koad." Fancy pictures " the Rev, William 
Shaw " sitting with a fellow warden upon the rude old stone 
seat now remaining in the middle of the Shawfield. Shaw 
itself means a wood, or cover, a shady place, 

Welcom quod he and every good fclaw 
Whider ridest thou under this greene shaw? 

The immense elms, which lately stood in the Shawfield, 
testify to the good qualities of the aoil for tree or herbage. 
Q 



122 



ToNG College, Site, and Grange. 



Two Clerks being mentioned show that even thus early the 
people of Tong had exceptional religious facilities. 

A worthy clerk, as proved by his wordes and his werk. 
He is now ded, and nailed in his cheste, 
1 pray to God to yeve his soule reste. 



Home Shaw 




Castle 



Town Mea.doi*' 



Tong College is the bicilding shevnng: 
three sides of a square. 



Map made for Evelyn, Duke Of Kingston, in 1739. 

The exact position of the College is shewn by the sketch^ 
which I have taken (by the kindness of the late Mr. Fisher, o£ 
Newport, Salop) from a Map dated 1739, when the ancient build- 



ToNG College Inmates. 123 

ing was still in existence. In 1887, a dry summcF, the lines 

of the foundations could be traced in the grass. 

The " Town of Tong" is a high-sounding title, certainly 
not borne out by our present knowledge of it. We may, how- 
ever, easily understand the place to have been of considerable 
importance ; firstly, it had a Royal Grant of a Fair on the Eve- 
Day and morrow of St. Bartholomew the Apostle (24 Aug.) 
secondly, the holding of the Manorial Court and View of frank 
pledge ; and thirdly, from being the centre of religious zeal 
and means of diffusion of knowledge, its body corporate 
possessing other towns and manors affiliated to it and in- 
creasing its income, while the Grange or monastic farm at 
Lizard, and possibly others, manajfed and overlooked periodi- 
cally by one of the chaplains himself riding out, increased its 
importance and usefulness, and provided employment for the 
poor. Thus Chaucer says : — 

This noble Monk of which I ynu devi«e 
Hath of his Abbot as him list licence 
Because he was a man of hit;h prudence 
And eke a i officer out for t > ride 
To seen hir fjranges and his bernes wide 
For certain bestes that I muste beye. 
To storea with a place that is oures. 

It seems as though the officer who had this happy periodical 
relief from the routine of monastic life may be compared to the 
favoured boy at a boarding school, who is occasionally sent by 
his master to perform a little commission for him in the town. 

2 messuages or houses, 2 roods of land, i.e., cultivated arable 
land. 

The parish clerk, t e., the priest, 

I trow that he be went 
For timbre, ther our Abbot hath him lent, 
For he is wont for timber for to go, 
And dwellen at the Grange a day or two, 

5 priests including the Warden and Subwarden, 
2 proper clerks. 



124 ToNG College, Habits, Manorial Customs, &c. 

13 poor, 7 too infirm to help themselves. 
20 inmates in all. 

Upon my faith thou art som officer, 
Som worthy sextein, or some celerer.* 
For by my fadres soule, as to my domet 
Thou art a mf ister, whan thou art at home 
No poure cloistarer, ne non novice. 
But a governour both ware and wise 
And therwithal of braunes and of bones 
A right wel faring persone for the nones. 

Chauctr. 

We may here remark how much greater a blessing a College 
was than a Monastery. The one a community or assemblajje 
of men invested with certain authoritative powers using their 
establishment to diffuse learning, promote the education and 
welfare of the neighbours, and to attend to the wants of the 
sick and infirm ; the other, the Monastery, a place of retire- 
ment, a provision for housing and feeding primarily themselves, 
the monks, without much regard for the rest of the world, an 
association of men full of the light of learning and blessed 
with advantages which might have been turned into a bless- 
ing to those around them, but one which enabled them to self- 
ishly hem in and bury themselves within the four walls of 
their habitation, bent only on attaining Salvation themselves, 
regardless of the rest of mankind. 

" The parochial chaplain and another to teach the clerks, 
" ministers and children of that and other neighbouring towns, 
" to read, sing and their grammar." Which can the neigh- 
bouring towns be ? Tong-Norton, Donnington, Shifnal, 
Weston. 

There appears to have been a little Chapel within the 
College, besides the Collegiate Church, and Mr. Cole remarked 
in 1757 that the Alms-house or Hospital had a Chapel of its 
own. Tho rules as to their Costume or Habit appear to be 

• Tbo offivsr ia a monastery who had the care of the provisions. t In my opinion. 



Pews amd Seats in Church. 125 

ligid in the extreme, while on the other hand the hospitality 
to be shown to strangers, although according to rules, was of 
a full and ample character. 

The ambiguous and contradictory regulations for the admis- 
sion and exclusion of women are truly naive. 

The regulations point to the Clerks' inclination to indulge 
too freely in matters of sport ; however, an oftence or two 
may be overlooked, and if the extreme penalty be enforced, 
it would be best to say as little as possible about it. Doubt- 
less there was no great harm then as now, but real good in 
the Clergy joining in the various avocations and diversions of 
their flock, provided it were not carried too far. The pre- 
dilection for sporting was manifest too in the ladies of that 
day, as we shall remark more explicitly in referring to Black 
Ladies ; but it may be that the *' Canes Venatici " (Dogs of 
the Chase) of the Nunnery were frequently instrumental in 
providing a dinner for the inmates who we read were poor 
indeed ; thus nothing is new under tlie sun, and the occupa- 
tion of the lurcher to be seen under every ugly caravan of the 
present day finds a precedent in the usages of religious 
zealots of old. 

The Manorial Court consisted of the Lord or his Steward 
and the Jury, duly summoned and warned by the quaint in- 
junction " Oh, yes ! Oh, yes ! Oh, yes ! " At the Court the 
deaths of various tenants of the Manor, and the fines due to 
the Lord of the Manor on each death or change of ownership, 
were declared and recorded. 

This custom is still performed in Manorial Courts at the 
present day — the Jurors and Court being discharged in 
similar words to the opening exclamation. An old work (re- 
ferred to previously), and dated 1675, prints elaborate 
rules of Courts Leet and Courts Baron of the time. One or 



125 Pf.ws and Seats in Church. 

two may thus be noted: — "8 Henry VII. The Freehold of 
the Church is to the Parson, and the pewes are Chattels unless 
they are fixt, but some have pews there by Prescription ; but 
the pews fixt there are the Freehold ot the Parson." 

"Apejw" (says Gough in his quaint History of Myddle, 
quoting" eminent authorities) "is a certain place in church 
incompassed with wainscott or some other thing, for several 
persons to sitt together. A seat or kneeling (for in this case 
they are the same) in such a part of a Pew, as belongs to one 
families or person. And a peiw may beelong whoaly to one 
family, or it may beelong to the ordinary, and noe man can 
claime a right to a seate without prescription or some other 
good reason [sic.]. A peiw or seat does not beelong to a 
person or to land, butt to an house, therefore if a man remove 
from an house to dwell in another, hee shall not retaine the 

seat belonging to the first house 

If a man sell a dwelling house with the appurtenances the 

seate in Church passes by the word appurtenances 

Wee have a tradition, that theire was noe peiws in Churches 
before the Reformation, but I believe that some of the cheife 
Inhabitants had peiws in the upper end of the Church before 
that time, as appears by certain antient cases in law-books. 
Neverthelesse after the Reformation the bodys of the Churches 
in most places were furnished with peiws ; or with benches 
(which were called forms) for the people to sitt in while the 
Lessons were read and dureing Sermon time." And Mr. Gough 
proceeds to give a very interesting account of the Parish of 
Myddle by taking in order the names of every householder's 
pew. 

The two pews on the north side of the pulpit in Tong 
Church, i.e., in the North Chapel, were claimed a few years 
ago as " belonging to the Minister " ; but rights to pews are 
— or ought to be — better held in these days by constant use 



Pews and Seats in Church. 127 

of them than by any other title. It is the habit, however, of 
some old people to bequeath the famil)' pew in their Parish 
Church in the same way as other valuables, althoug'h the pew 
itself may have been already lost sight of in a much-needed 
re-arrangement of sittings. Such was the case when Mr. 
Isaac Pugh, a cousin of mine, recently bequeathed - Pugh in. 
his will the pew in Oswestry Church. The family came 
from Llanfyllin, near Oswestry. The name Pugh means son 
of Hugh, formerly written Ap Hugh, as is Griffiths, for Ap 
Grifiithlft (son of). 

Harriot, f Two manner of, viz. : Harriot custom, and 
Harriot Service ; the former after the death of the tenant for 
life ; the latter after the death of the Tenant in fee. 

Breviate of the Charge. 

Ill persons for the Commonwealth (inter alia) : — 

Of those which Sleep in the day and Walk in the night, 
and have nothing to live on. 

Of those which catch Pigeons in the Winter with Nets or 
Enf^ines. 

Very extraordinary offences ! 

Herriot. One of the properties belonging to the Tong 
Charity Trustees is called " Little Harriots Hays," otherwise 
" Dead Woman's Grave." The connection between the twa 
names is easily surmised. Heriot in " all the Lordship's 
marches" was the best weapon. Heriot Covenant is such a 
weapon as an arrow or a sum of money or such a beast or 
goods as is mentioned in the Covenant. And this the Lord is 
obliged to take, although it happen to bee worse than the 

best weapon the best weapon may be but 

a " pickavill, a trouse bill, or a clubbe staffe, for these are 
weapons offensive and defensive. " 

t From " hero " a lord of herus, and geat or neat, a beast. Quasi dictum "The lord's 
beait'' 



laS Manors, Pounds, and Constablhs. 

Trespass. 
Of Common Barretors and Scolds. 
Ot breaking the Common Pound. 

" Barretors " or Scolds meant Brawling Women. The 
ladies charg'ed with this offence were punished by havingf 
an iron bridle locked on their heads --part of it, a narrow 
tongue of iron, one and a half-inch long, much like the bowl 
of a spoon, was thrust into the mouth, which effectually pre- 
vented conversation offensive or even supplicatory. 

Pound. — In many a parish the pound is the sole relic of 
Manorial Authority. All stray animals were impounded, and 
the fact proclaimed in the Church. There is a pound at 
Tong Norton, and one at Weston, and at Blymhill. 

Constable. To see the Watch kept ! 

The Community was in very simple hands, if we may judge 
by Shakespeare's Constable and the men of the Watch. 

Dogberry : Well, for your favour, Sir, why give God thanks, and make 
no boast of it, and for your writing and reading, let that appear v/hen 
there is no need of such vanity. You are thought here to be the most 
senseless and fit man for tha Constable of the Watch ; therefore bear you 
the lantern. This is your charge — you shall comprehend all vagrom men ; 
you are to bid any man stand, in the Prince's name. 

Watch ; How if a' will not stand ? 

Dogberry : Why, then take no note of him, but let him go ; and 
presently call the reit of the watch together, and thank God you are rid of 
a knave. 

Well you are to call at all the ale-houses, and bid those that are drunk get 
them to bed. 

Watch : How if they will not ? 

Dogberry : Why then let them alone till they are sober ; if they make 
you not then the better answer, you may say they are not the men you 
took them for. 

Watch ; Well, sir 

Dogberry : If you meet a thief, you may suspect him, by virtue of your 
oflice, to be no true man ; and for such kind of men, the less you meddl^ 
or make with them, why, the more is for your honasty. 



Watchman, Wardens, Masses, etc. 



129 



•Each town a century ago had its Watchman, who hourly 
cried out the progress and atmospheric phases of the night :— 

" One o'clock and frosty ' 
"Two o'clock and rainine." 
" Three o'clock and fine," &c. 

The London \^/atchm«n 
cried the time every half- 
hour. In addition to a 
lantern and rattle, he was 
armed with a stout stick. 
T. L. Busby, who in 
1819 illustrated "The 
Costumes of the Lower 
Orders of London," tells 
us that in March the 
Watchman began his 
rounds at eight in the 
evening, and finished 
them at six in the morn- 
ing. From April to Sep- 
tember his hours were 
from ten till 

'- ^ five; and from 

November to 
the end ot Feb- 
ruary, twelve till seven. During the darkest months there 
was an extra watch from six to twelve, and extra patrols or 
sergeants walked over the beats at intervals. 

It is peculiar that the only reference to the farming opera- 
tions upon which the College must have depended for its pro- 
visions is so briefly referred to. " The Gifts of The Faithful " 
may, however, have been so ample as to provide hard Cash 
vrith wliich the Warden could buy the larger portion pf the- 
necessaries of life. 

R 




Watchman ; " Past One o'clock, an' a fine morning." 



130 ToNG College — Masses. 

I have come across no illustration of the Seal of the 
College. 

In the Hon. and Rev. Canon Bridgeman's Account of 
Marston.* containing some account of Lapley Priory, mention. 
is made that the Master (or Warden) of Tong College was to 
have a man and a pair of horses kept at the expense of the 
College to travel about the business of the fraternity ; but, if 
occasion require it, he might keep more horses when he 
travelled to more distant parts, and further that the following. 
Masses should be performed : — 

On Sunday, the mass of the Holy Trinity for founders and benefactors ;. 

Monday, the mass of the Holy Ghost ; 

Tuesday, Sahis Populi (the Salvation of all Men) ; 

Wednesday, the Angels' mass ; 

Thursday, the mass de Corpore Christi ; 

Friday, mass of the Holy Cross ; 

And on Saturday, the mass of Rest. 

Thomas Forster's tomb is in the north wall of Shifnal 
Church, a canopied one, with effigy, and this inscription : 

Here'lieth the Body of Thomai Forster 
Sometime Prior of Wombriige Warden 
Of Tongue and Vicar of Idsall 1526. 

The arms are quarterly (per fesse indented), i and 4 sahle 
a pheon ; 2 and 3 aiyenf, a forester's horn. 

Thomas Forster's Will is in the Bodleian Library, dated 
1522. Among others, are bequests for the following purposes r. 
" to the prysts and Clerks of St. Andrew of Idsall to kepe 
the Mass every Friday by rote, x'to John Hatton to set 
me in his Bead-roll : every pryst in the parish to have iiis. ivd. 
to pray for me. Also it is my mynd to have a Trentall-day as 
soon as may be after my departyng " [i.e., a celebration of 
Mass 30 days after). 

An extract from the Shropshire Arcliceological Journal n\2iy h^ 
taken, as Forster or the Foresters are further associated with. 

* Seafibtdihire Arctuaotogical. VoL> 1S84,. and Lloyds Duke's Shropshire. 



Forester, Warden of Tong. 131 

Tong in the person of Isabella Forster referred to later. It says 
he was a Pluralist of that date, and one of much dignity ; repre- 
sented lying in his priestly robes, which consist of a Cassock, 
Alb or Tunic, a Chasuble with border, and an Amice round the 
neck ; on his head the Tonsure, which was a corona or crown 
shewing the mark of his order. He was one of the family of 
the Foresters, presumably of the Royal Forest of the Wrekin, 
and a native of the parish, as evidenced by a deed of Ricliard 
Forster of Evelith (temp. Hen. VIH. 20), who granted certain 
lands in Alderton in the parish of Great Ness, Co. Salop, to 
find a fit chaplain "to pray for the Soul of Thomas Forster, 
and for the souls of all his friends and kinsmen." 

He was of the same family as Anthony Forster (" Tony 
Fire-the-fagot " in " Kenilworth "), whose tomb in Cumnor 
Church, Co. Oxford, describes him as " Qui quondam 
Ipplethae Salopiensis erat." Ipplethae or Ivilith, or Evelith 
the paternal Estate, was held by Lord Forester's family 
until within the last few years. 

A pretty drawing of the Tomb, conveying an idea of its 
character, was made by the Rev. J. Brooke, of Haughton. 




A DOCUMENT DESCRIBING THE "BOUNDARY 
OF THE LORDSHIP OR MANOR AND PARISH OF 
TONGE:"— 

2rf)E igtf) antj 20t% of :Plag in anno 1718 jKemotantium, tfjt 
bans anb gear abobe toritten being Eagation toeeke. 91 Bauntieta of 
tf)£ lEorti^gijip, or ilSannor zrib ^arisf) of STonge toas ti)en taken bg 
tf}e fEmistor anb sucf) of tfje Inf)abitant3 tijeteof tofjose names ate 
i)£rcunto subscribeti, anti is as foUoiaetf} ; 

Impr. 

It was begun at Tonge Mill Poole and went Eastward up A Brooke called 
Kilsall brooke unto A Bridge over the said brooke in the Road from Tonge to 
Albriugton, on the midle of which Bridge was a Gospel! R^-ad, and from thence 
Eastward up the aforesaid brooke unto the upper part of a piece of ground in th« 
tenure of John Cotton, cUled the Walds, from thence Across the bottom of widdow 
Harrison's fieald unto the Cornor of Tonge Parke pale then forward a<ijoyning to 
the lands of Will. Coleniore, Esq., in the tenure of John Yate and Thomas Ellits 
four foot 0.1 the outside of tlie Park pale all along, likewitie fiom theme forward 
on the outside of the Parke paleadjoyningtothe Lauds Ffitchherbot, Esq. four foot 
being in the tenure of Thomas Row adjoining unto the Park pale up to tba 
Keepers lueadowes, then continuing on by a boml hedge made by Mr How from 
the Keejiers meadows, and also from the Parke fields, from theoce unto A marie 
pitt in mill fi-ld in the tenure of Mr. How being adjudged to be an acre which 
formt-rly paid tythes to To'rge, thence returning out of the grounds of Mr. How 
into Ainblii g meatlowe and still continueing by Mr. How's bond hedge unto 
Moralls uieicell now in the tenure of John Carpeutor to A gate place there where 
there th^-n was A gospell rea<l and from theuce Along by th« bond hedge of 
Dennis Field, in the upper part of the aforesaid field is about two Acres of Land 
in the Panih of Tonge and pays Tithes to the Lord of the .Mannor of Tonge as often 
as it is tilled, from thence returning out of that lands into Bryary huist and still 
continuing by Mr. Howe s boi;d he ge unto Pierce Hay laoe thence returning to A 
gate entering into Bishops wood where there then was A gospell read and from 
theuce by a boml hedge dividing from the Parish of Brevvood lea'iing to A piece of 
Land Pertry lessow iu the tenure of William Leeke, and from theiiCf! by A bond 
hedge dividiug Ironi the Paish of Blimhiil untill we come to Weston Parke Pale 
Corner, at A gale there was then A gospell read, then goeing seven foot of the out- 
ride of the Weston Parke pale westward unto A piece of Land called Cowe haye, 
th»n continuing by the Bond hedge of cowe haye in the P-ish of Weston uuto 
Cov.c haye gate where there then was A gospell read and from thence continuing 



Perambulation of the Boundaries of Tong. 133 

by the Bond hedge belonginpr to Weston P-ish aforesaid unto A certain gate lead- 
ing of Nortoa heath unto Weston n-^w Mill where th^ re tlicn was A gosi>ell raad 
and from thence by the aforesd Bovd he^ge of Weston unto Windrill 
meadow, And from thence continuing by certiu grounds called the Wiudrills unto 
Street way still by the P-ish of VVeston along certaiu grounds in the tenure of John 
Fox of Lizyard Grange unto to tlie road from Tonge to Newport were there was a 
gospell read. And thence along the lands of John Fox aforesd adjoyning to Street 
road in the P-ish of Sheriffehalse unto A certain brooke runing from Burlauchtou in 
the P-ish of Sheriffhalse And from thence southward downe by the said Brooke 
adjoyning to the P-ish of Shiffnall ati« Idsall unto A way and steping stones upon 
the same brooke below Thomas Wenlocks come Mill where there then was A 
Gospell read, And thence along the same brooke unto the upper forge hammor 
ditch where there was then A gospell read and from thence along the ffovge brooke 
unto A way ami steping stones where was then a Gospell read And from thence 
by the same brooke to A bridse below the lower Forge wiiere there was a Go pell 
read, thence by the same brooke unto Timlett Bridge where there then was a 
Gospell read. And from thence by the same brooke unto a certain bridge over 
which is a way into Muncke fields from Ruckley Grange near below whi.-.h bridge 
is A bylott or spot of Land over the brooke belonging t> the P-ish of Tonge adjoyn- 
ing tea meadow in the holding of Lancet Jones, then returning to the Forge brooke 
aforesd downe to A bridge below Ruckley Grange house upon which there then 
was A Gospell read And from thence along the same brooke to the Hole upon A 
bridge there then was A gospell read, And from thence by the same brooke round 
to Ruckley wood cornor which is the Tenure of Thomas Scott untUl it meets the 
Brooke that runs from Tonge Mill. Thence returiiing up Tonee Mill brooke adjoyn- 
ing to the P-ish of Dunington untill we come to a certain Piece of Land about 
half an Acre lyeing ovor the sd brooke now in the holding of John Horton 
which is in the P-ish of Tonge unto a gate upon Worcester Road where there then 
was a Gospell read, and from them^e returning two and up the saide brooke until! 
we come to Tonge Mill, at A gate over the poole Bridge adjoyning to the P-ish o 
Dunnington where there then was A gospell read, and the Boundary there 
ended : — 

Lewis Peitier, Curate of Tong 

George Salter The Seavon of the 

Robert Stones Jury at the Court Leet 

'"'"rocM "■ R ^•""°° TeDt. \& Court Baron held 

"""RT/er "' ',^ ''"°" nor the Mann' of Tonge 

Thomas Ore j the 26th of Oct. 1719 

John Cotton | know the Boundaryes. 

Thf mark of „ ,, , I 

The above was a small paper document 2oin. x x6in. found 
by the Rtv. R. G. Lawrence at Donnington, a neighbouring 
parish, and sent by the Rev. H. G. de Bunsen, rector there, to 
Mr. Lawrence, Nov. 20, 1872. " This is the Document I told 
you of, to which, as far as I can see, not we, but you have the 
right." 



134 Boundary of the Manob and Parish of Tong, 1718, 

The above old document, describing the Boundary of the 
Manor and Parish of Tong nearly two hundred years ago, 
is of much interest, especially to the inhabitants who are 
acquainted with the roads and places mentioned. It seems 
that the perambulation took two days to complete, namely, 
the igth and 20th of May, 1718, and these no doubt were 
Rogation days. 

Rogation days are the Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday 
before Ascension Day ; and are said to be so called from the 
old custom for processions to go out from the Church to 
various stations in the parish, where hymns, canticles, and 
litanies were sung, asking for God's blessing upon the fruits 
of the earth. 

The following are words from a beautiful Rogation hymn : — 

Our hope, when Autumn winds blow wild 

We trusted, Lord, with Thee; 
And still, now Spring has on us smiled. 

We wait on Thy decree. 

The former and the latter rain, 

The Sunim«r sun and air. 
The green ear, and the golden grain 

All Thine, are ours by prajer. 

Thine too by right, and ours by grace, 

The wondrous growth unseen. 
The hopes that soothe, the fears that brace. 

The Love that shines serene. 

Why are not out-of-door services revived in the Church of 
England ? They are very impressive indeed. The service 
of the Consecration of new burial ground at Tong lately is an 
instance, and a more striking one was the Volunteer Camp 
Service at Coppice Green a few years ago. 

The walking of the boundaries of the Parish or Manor was 
a duty zealously performed a century ago in all parishes. 
The party perambulating included the clergyman, some old 
men, inhabitants well acquainted with the windings of the 
bbundary, and a certain number of lads " to tell them that 
come after." Refreshments were provided at certain points 



ToNG Mill — the Miller. 135. 

on the route, and the proceedings were not infrequently 
enlivened by practical jokes played upon the boys, to stamp- 
in their memories the day's business, such as where by- 
chance a brook took a doubtful turn or divided in two, in that 
part of it which remained as the boundary one or two of 
them would be "ducked." In a place where the boundary 
ran through a cottage, a small boy was pushed through a 
little window which defined it ; and in another case where- 
there was no window, money was thrown o-ver for the boys to^ 
catch on the other side, f 

The Ehxke of Kingston was Lord of Tong at this time^ 
The parish boundary seems to have been identical with that 
of the Manor. 

" Begun at Tonge Mill Poole." This Mill was- 
probably upon the site of the old I^Iill connected with the 
feudal establishment of Bishop de Belmeis, immediately 
below the Castle. Several mill-stones came to light when 
the dam of this pool burst a few years ago. It is probable 
that a small pool on the west side of the Castle fed by the-- 
larger Church Pool, supplied the water to drive the mill- 
wheel, for the document says the boundary went " Eastward 
up a brooke," thus proving that the Kilsall water was not 
impounded to form a pool then. 

The poet Chaucer iwho lived in 1359, and bore arms in 
Edward's Expedition to Calais), so- quaintly describes the 
miller and other rural characters of the i4.th century, that I 
have quoted his words, in order to bring ^•ividly before 
us pictures of the country people of those earlier days. 

The miller was remarkable for his stout build, and prowess 
at " wrastling." 

Upon the cop right of bis nose he hade 
A wert, and thereon stode a tufte of here?, 
Rede as the Lristies of a sowes eres. 



■^ Custom. oa the Hj.w.irden. MajiodjJ boundary W.G. says 



136 GosPELL Trees and Places. 



A white cote and a blew hode wered he, 
A bagge pipe wel coude he blow and soune 
And therwithall he brought us out of toun. 

A damaging line says 

Wel coude he stelen corne and tol'.en thries, 
And yet he had a Ihomb* ot golde parde. 

It was the boast of old Mr. Bloxham, of Lizard Mill, that 
he was " the honest miller." 

" The road from Tonge to Albrington [i.e., Albrighton) 
" on the middle of which Bridge was a Gospell Read." 

Old Plot tells us that— 

" In the skirts of the town [of Wolverhampton] are ranged at determinate 
"distances a number of large trees, which serve to mark the limits between 
" the township and the parish. Those are denominated by the inhabitants 
" Gospel trees, from the practice oi reading the Gospel under them, when 
"the clergy were wont to perambulate the boundaries." 

Plot, again in his history of Staffordshire, 1686, says : — 

" They have also a custom in this County, which I observed on Holy 
Thursday at Brewood and Bilbrook, of adorning their wells with Boughs 
and flowers ; thii it seems they doe too at all Gospell-places, whether wells 
trees or hills ; which being now observed only for decency and custom 
sake is innocent enough. Heretofore it was usual to pay this respect 10 
such wells as were eminent for cureing distempers on the Saint's day 
whose name they bore, diverting themselves with cakes and|ale, and a little 
musickand dancing." 

There are no wells of this description in Tong, but in the 
Shaw Lane, at Tong Norton, upon some old half-timbered 
cottages there, I have seen bunches ot yellow May flowers 
hanging over the doors, some weeks after the ist of May has 
passed. And this May-day custom I have observed on 
John Wilkes's Cottage in the neighbouring parish of Weston. 

The May-pole.— The Shaft or Maypole was in former times 
considered part of the public property of the parish, and as 
such was repaired b}' the Churchwardens. Popular amuse- 
ments were in those days under the patronage of the Church. 

• Meaniiiij probably that notwithstanding bis thefts he was an honest miller, <.e., a» 
honest as his brethren. 



May-Day and Cromwell. 1,37 

May-games, though much older than the Cliristian Church, were 
connected with some of its most pleasing rites. 

A little nonsense now and then 
Is relished by the wisest men. 

At Waddingham, before the Elizabethan spoliation, a 
sacring bell hung from its top. Ma3'-poles seem to have 
existed in most of our villages until the time of the Great 
Civil War. By an ordinance of Pariiament in Cromwell's 
time, 1644, ^^1 May-poles were ordered to be removed as 
heathenish vanities. 

We read that " not long after the restauration of King 
" Charles II., the young people of Myddle [and others] were 
" about setting up a iMay-pole near the church-stile : " where- 
upon the parish clerk remonstrated. He was brought before 
a justice of the peace, "when it was deposed on oath that 
" hee said it was as greate a sin to sett up a May- pole as to 
" cut of the King's head. (These words hee denied even to 
" his dying day)." He was, however, subsequently fined 5 
marks, " and an order wasmade that he should louse his place.'' 

" Corner of Tong Parke Pale." There seems to be little 
doubt that the Park belonging; to Tong Castle was enclosed 
with pales, and extended from the present brook at Tong 
Park Farm northward to Hubball, and possibly to the foot of 
the Knoll. There is no reason why it should not have done 
so, as the Offbxey Road is a comparatively new one, happily 
substituted for the old tortuous way by the Knoll Hc>use, 
passing not far from the old Tithe Barn to White Oak. 

This old barn is very large, and was probably the tithe 
barn of the parish, in whicti the tithe hay and grain were 
stored, before the Tithe Commutation Act came into force 
some 50 or 60 years ago. 

In harvest time, when the grain was in mows ready to carry 
to the stack, notice was required to be given to the person 
collecting the Tithe-owner's share of grain crops, and he 



138 Collection of Tithe in Kind. 

would come to the field and sprij; with a twig every tenth 
mow ; these would be carried to the Tithe barn, for use of 
the Incumbent, unless he agreed, as was often the case, with 
one farmer to give him so much money for the tithe crop of 
the whole parish. 

This method was a survival of the practice adopted in the 
time of the Norman kings to obtain their revenues. The 
SheriflFwas the king's "fermor" ; he agreed to give the king 
so much money from a given County, and anything more he 
could extract from the people in it was his pay and profit. 

By the Tithe Commutation Act there was a certain sum 
in lieu of tithe apportioned on each field ; an Act which often 
works unjustly at the present day, when the highest-tithed 
land, i.e., the wheat growing arable land, bears a tithe of 
perhaps 4/- to 6/- an acre, and the crop itself will not pay the 
cost of production, while rich pastures are almost tithe free» 

Here are some of the words of an old song called " The 
Tithe Pig " :— 

" Good morning said the Parson," " Good morning Sir to you," 
" I've come to choose n sucking pig, you know it is my due, 
" I pray you sir, go fetcli me one, that is both plump and fine, 
" For I expect a friend or two along with me to dine." 

With my whack fol the diddle del the dido. 

Then in the stye the farmer went, among the pigs so small. 
And brought him out a little pig, the least among them all. 

On seeing this, the parson, how he did ramp and roar. 

He scratched his head and stamped his foot, and almost cursed and swore. 

With this outcried the farmer, " Since my offer you refuse, 

" W»lk in the stye, you're welcome Sir, now pray go pick and choosci" 

Then in the stye the parson went without any more ado, 

Th' old Sow came out with open mouth and at the parson flew. 

The other lines of this doggrel arc now forgotten, but the 
old sow tore off the skirts of his coat, not to mention graver 
. graven disasters to other garments. 

And ran her head between his legs, and tumbled him in the mire. 
Then out of the stye the Parson came, all in a handsome trim. 
The farmer almost split his sides with laughing at the fun. 

He then demanded his hat and wig (for wigs were worn in 



The White Oak. 139 

those days), and hurried out of the place, and said he was 
almost dead, departing with the words — ■ 

" For all the treatment I received, all in the accursed stye, 
" I never shall relish a sucking pig unto the day I die " 

With my whack fol the diddle dol the dido. 

The "WHITE OAK" overhangs Mr. Murdock's back- 
kitchen, and is a large tree standing upon an elevated 
piece of ground midway between Tong and Black 
Ladies near Brewood, and was probably in the middle of 
that part of the Forest called Bishops Wood. It was 
formerly whitewashed, as I am informed. The reason for so 
doing may have been to render it a more conspicuous 
signpost, marking the way through the forest, and 
perhaps denoting that near here was the turn off the maia 
road into the bridle way to White Ladies Abbey, and now 
the shortest cut to Albrighton Station. 

The next name we come to is *' Morrall's meicell, at a 
gate place there, where was a Gospel read," i.e , the bridle 
road to the While Ladies Abbey aforesaid. The " meicell " 
being spelt with a small m suggests that it was not an 
uncommon word, but one aptly describing certain lands. 
Mr. Hartshorne gives : meese, a labyrinth, to turn giddy 
(from the Anglo-Saxon meuse) — a hole in a fence, a hare's 
general track. Perhaps the word denotes a part of the old 
Forest of Brewood, unridded, where the trees were thick, 
and the way through it puzzhng, the underwood growth 
briery, and good shelter for wild animals. 

" Dennis Field "^ — belonging to the owners of Boscobel. 
The tithe upon it was apportioned at 6/- per annum, and is 
still payable to the owner cf Tong. St. Denys is the patron 
Saint of France, and the name suggests a connection with 
W^hite Ladies Abbey hard by. The bridle-way field and one 
adjoining bear the respective names of " White Ladies Close" 
and "Minerals Leasow"; other old names suggestive of 



140 Lady Isabel's Well. 

mines are Ores Bank and Small Ores Bank to the North 
of Meashil! house. 

" Bryery Hurst." The name is still retained in New and 
Far Briery Hurst and Briery Leasow some thirty-five acres, 
lying" west of the Meeshill house. A Hurst is defined as a 
woody place, where trees grow but low. 

Mr How's bond-hedge extended to the road to Boscobel, 
then called Pierce Hay lane. 

A well, called Lady Isabel's Well, and a weeping willow 
over it, are near this spot. At the present cross roads near 
a cottage called " Acorn Lod,4e, " was, I suppose, the gate 
leading into Bishops wood, probably then a wood indeed, and 
part of Brewood Forest. Near here occurred a famous 
fi|;ht between two pugilists. 

Pertry or Pear-Tree Leasow, a name still retained by the 
field south of Park Pales house. 

A bond-hedge divided Blymhill and Tong, " until we come 
to Weston Park Pale Corner." This is a point in the road 
leading from Park Pales House towards Ivetsey Bank, not 
far from the wood to which Weston Old Park extended. 
The present noble owner, the Earl of Bradford, tells me 
that Weston Park originally reached nearly to Brewood. 
A Map in Plot's Staffordshire of 1686 shews this so. 

An inhabitant livliig at Park Pales, named JIMMY 
TETHERTON, an honest old cottager whose life is bound up 
with the spot, soliloquized on rent-day in October, iSgcj, in 
terms which I paraphrased thus : — 

I want a bit o' paint fur the doo-ers 

It'll do 'em good, Ketp the splicings right 

And the nail-holes in the wood ; 

Tisn't much, it'll do for me, I shan't be lung 

Afore I've done with it all, right or wrung 

D'ye know how old I am, why eighty years and more, 

Was eighty-one last birthday, and that's over four score ; 



Cow Hay in Weston Park. 141 

Ten Tear old«r than .Vy Lord, cos I know he's seventy-one, 
But oh I'm well and hearty, but my work is a'most dun. 
I bin' workin at Pyatt's, a. harvestin' up at the hill. 
Finished six weeks tn-dny, and some 'uU soon go to the mill. 
Farmin's up to nuthin' now, they keep no men, 
1 never see sich a thing— jest look at it th' n 

When Stockley Squire had th« farm, and the stuflf they used to grow, 
Everywhere like a garden and men he had enow'. 
Oh ! I bin workin o' his garden, Pyatts I mean to say 
Fetched all the rubbish and weeds up— ow they dun grow on the clay. 
Stockley ee kep it sa nice, nn this un ee knows ow ta farm, 
But why doant he see to the g»rdin better from takin' harm. 
"Well— I must go, good day, you'll see to the paint and stuff. 
Better be done afore winter, the weather gits rough. 
N.B. — " Meester Norton hasna' sent the paint fur the doo-ers yet !" 

A piece of land called " Cowe Haye " in Weston Park. A 
haye was that fenced or paled part of a forest into which 
beasts were driven to be cau'ht, as elephants are in India and 
deer in America. The entrenchments, made by bushes and 
thickets, were termed hayes."* 

" Cowe haye gate." The present Tong- entrance Lodge to 
Weston Park. 

Norton Heath. Evidently then unenclosed (1718), as shewn 
on a Map of Tong, which I have seen dated 1739. It was 
here that Leslie's 3000 Cavalry re-assembled and offered King 
Charles their doubtful services again. 

Weston New Mill. The mill must have been just erected, 
in place of a Windmill, which occupied a site on the banky 
land not far from Streetway or Watling Street. The Wind- 
mill was in situ in 1686. The Windrills corrupted from 
"Windmill," a name given to the fields west of Mr. Shaw's 
farm house, the Woodlands. 

The boundary to Burlaughton brook is easily followed in a 
westerly direction from Pikemere Hollow, the bed of a 
large sheet of water now dry, but whose outline can be 
partly followed in the meadows. The present oak trees just 
inside the field, on the north side of the Watling Street, 
indicate the boundary of the Parish and County. 

• Hjurtshorn's Salop. Antiq. 



142 Weston New Mill — Idsall. 

"Shiffnall, alias Idsall" (Idd's hall ?).— Both names were 
then in use. Why do not the inhabitants return to the latter 
and more euphonious name ? 

Good lady Ida, 
Hear me, ere I die. 

I'fnnyion. 

" A way and steping stones below Thomas Wenlock's 
corne Mill," i.e., the present Lizard Mill. 

"Upper forge hammor ditch," " Forge brooke," "lower 
Forge," and "Timlett bridge" are names suggesting the 
important business of the conversion of iron ore, hitherto 
carried on here, before the discoveries of steam had removed 
such work to the towns. The ore was brought from the 
Priors Lee and possibly Wolverhampton districts. The 
brook lay on a good road between the two, and its rapid fall 
favored the use of powerful waterwheels. These were con- 
structed either (i) to work a large hammer (as the name of 
the upper forge implies), or (2) to compress large bellows by 
which the blast was made constant, and thus the heat became 
so increased that the operators "had the satisfaction in 
three days' time of seeing the metal begin to run." A token 
shewing a forge hammer was found at Ton.!^^ Church during 
the Restoration in 1892. (See illustration.) A lengthy 
account of the whole process 200 years ago cannot but interest 
those engaged in the iron works of the present day. 

" When they have gotten the Ore before tis fit for the furnace, they burn or cal- 
cine it upon the open groxmd with small wood, to make it break into small pieces 
which will be done in three days, this is annealing or titing it for the furnace. In 
th<3 meanwhile they heat their furnace for a weeks time with charcoal without 
blowing it, which they call stjasoning it. and then they bring the Ore to the furnace 
thus prepared, and throw it in with the charcoal in baskets vicissim i.e. a basket 
of Ore, and then a basket of coal s.s.s. whereby two vast pair of bellows placed 
behind the furnace and compressed alternately by a large wheel turned by water 
the fire is made so intense that after three days time the metall will begin to run 
still iifter increasing till at length in fourteen nights time they can run a sow and 
pio;gs once in twelve hours which they do in a bed of sand before the mouth of the 
furnace wherein they make one larger furrow than the rest, next the Timp (where 
the metal comes forth) which is for the Sow from whence they draw 2 or 3 & 
*»7«rty others for the piggs. It not only runs to the utmost distance of the 



^-< 
,^>i 






^■i 













Hubba.1 Gid-n 



G H-f* 



igC 



^^4^^ i^f^ 







Ancient Forge — Sow axd Pigs. 



HJ 



furrows but stands boiling in them some time. Before it is cold i.e. when it begins, 
to blacken at the top & the red to goe off, they break the Sow and pigs off fronk 
one another & the Sow into the same length with the piggs tho' in the riming it is 
longer and bigger much, which is now doue with ease. The hearth of the furnaco-. 
into which the Ore & Coal fall is ordinarily built square the sides descending ob- 
liquely, and drawing near to one another at the bottom where these terminate,, 
which they term the bashes; there are joined four other stones, commonly 
set peri:)endicular and reach to the bottom stone making the perpendicular square 
that receives the metall which 4 walls have the following names — that ne.xt tlie 
bellows, the tuarh or tuiron wall ; that against it the wind wall, or spirit plate ;. 
that when the Metall comes out the Timp or foreplate ; that over against it, tlie 
back wall Tis of importance there should Ije 5 or 6 sou»lis made under the 
furnace in paralel lines to the stream that turns the wheel wliich compresses the 
kellows to drain away the moisture from the furnace, for should the least drop of 
water come into the metall, it v/ould blow up the furnace, ami the nietall would 
fly about the workman's ears from which soughs they must also have a conical pipe 
about 9in. at the bottom set to convey the damp from them into the open air which 
too otherwise would annoy the workmen even to death." From the furnaces they 
bring the Sows and piggs when broken asunder to the Forges ; these are of 2 sorts, 
commonly standing together under the same roof, one called the Finery the otlier- 
Chafery — both open hearths upon which they place great lieap>s of Coal, blown by 
bellovs like to those of the furnaces and compressed the same way but notliiug 
near so large. In these two forges they give the Sow and piggs 5 severall heats be- 
fore they are perfectly wrought into barrs. First in the Finery they are melted 
down as thin as lead, where the metall in an hour thickens to a lump called loop ; 
this they bring to the great Hammer raised by the motion of a Waterwheel and 
first beat it into a thick square, a half bloom— secondly put it into the Finery for 
half an hour then bring it to the same Hammer when they work it into a bloom, 
■which is a square Ixir in the middle and two square knobs at the end. one mu & 
less than the other tlie smaller the Ancouy the larger the Mocket head. This is 
all they do at the Finery. Then the Ancony end is brought to the Chapery where- 
after being heated for a quarter of an hour it is brouglit to the Hammer and beat 
quite out into such bars as they think fittest for Sale. Whereof those forrodds are 
carryed to the Slitting Mills, where they first break or cut them cold by the force 
of one of the wheels into short lengths ; ne.xt heated red hot. & brought singly to 
rollers by which they are drawn even & to a greater length ; another workman 
takes them whilst hot & puts them through cutters of divers sizes — ^then another 
lays them straight whilst hot, and when cold binds them into faggots, then they 
are fitting for Sale. 

Thus I have given an account of the Ironworks of Staffordshire, as they are now 
exercised in their i^erfection, the improvement whereof we shall find very great if 
we look back upon the methods of our ancestors, who made iron in foot blasts Oj- 
blooincries by mens treading the bellows, making but a little lump or bloom Of 
iron in a day, not 100 weight, leaving as much iron in the sla-,' as they got out • 
whereas now they make two or three tons of ca^t iron in twenty-four hours, leaving 
the slag so poore that the founders caimot melt it again to profit. 

The " upper forge hammor-ditch " runs alongside the upper 
forge pool. Iron cinders still cover a part of the pool. 



144 Stone Cross, Tong Norton, Timlet. 

embankment. At " the way and steping- stones" is a foot- 
road still. 

" The bridge below lower forg-e, where was a Gospell read," 
is now called Upper Timlet Bridge or the Forge bridge. This 
road leads direct to the Stone Cross at Tong Norton. 
Whether this is the site of an old preaching cross I know not. 

Tong Norton had a separate history from Tong as early as 
1 167, when each was fined for an offence against the Forest 
Laws. Stone Crosses were erected first in 653. When 
Churches were rare, and clergymen were sent from episcopal 
monasteries to preach, they did so in the open air at a cross, 
until the advantages of religion induced the lords to build 
churches, t By the will of an Oxford Collegiate Dignitary, 
dated 1447, Stone Crosses were directed to be put up " of the 
usual kind, where dead bodies are rested on the way to their 
burial, that prayers may be made, and the bearers take some 
rest."* In Brittany they are common yet. 

Timlett Bridge, i.e., Timlett Hollow, the bridge carrying 
the road from Shifnal to Tong. An inhabitant of Timlet 
Hollow informs me that the man who kept horses to do 
nothing else but cart the ore to the Forge, died about 56 
years ago ; and that his father, who lived by the "loom-hole," 
2 miles away, used to hear the forge hammer very plainly, 
"and could always tell when it was a going to rain by its 
sound." 

" Will Colemore, Esq." was, I suppose, a previous owner 
of Shackerley property. 

" Fitcherbot E?qr. ," one of the Fitzherberts, owners of 
historic Boscobel. 

The "Keepers Meadows" are those adjoining the brook, 

where it bends from a N.E. to an easterly direction on the 
east side of Tong Park House. The name is still retained. 

i Hist, of Hawardan. * Building News. 



Mart. a\d Marlfits tv Tova. 145^ 

Mr. How's bond hedi;e. — Mr. How seems to have been a 
large occupier, and without his bond hed_,e — which may mean 
a boundary hedge, or one newly pleached down — the boundary 
would have puzzled Mr. Pietier to describe, judging from the 
repetition of the name. 

Marl is a red earth, brittle when dry, but if wetted becomes 
adhesive and clayey. "A Marie Pitt in Mill Field." This 
is in Meashill farm. The dressing of land with marl was very 
much in vogue years ago, judging by the numberless marl 
pits in this and the adjoining parishes. Then the profitable 
production of wheat warranted the farmer in going to con- 
siderable expense in prep^iin^ his land for that crop ; but 
now, alas ! this is not the case and agriculture pines. As 
early as 1260 the Marlpit of Methplekes was referred to in an 
action against Wm. de Harcourt, as to a tenement in Tong,. 
and as to a Charter of Alan la Zouche, seignoral lord, 
granting " the land which Robert de Betterton [Beighterton] 
held in the Barude [Brewood], also his waste near the Pole 
between the Wood and the Marlpit of Methplekes against the 
road which passes from Tong towards the Wood, also the 
Brod-more, &c." The field adjoining the old barn field bears 
the name of Marlpit Leasow too. The large holes by the 
roadside indicate the spot whence the earth was taken. 
The land where these pits are is naturally retentive of 
moisture. Very likely the marl was carted to other places in 
the Parish or Manor where the soil is lighter and sandy. 
I find Neachley was the Grange or Farm of White Ladies 
Abbey, and the use of marl there would probably be suitable 
and efficacious. 

In the amusing " Chronicles of a Clay Farm," we find an 
account of some Marl Pits, which puzzled the young farmer ; 

"Amongst thfl Ipgacies which the wi rtom and labours of antiquity had 
bequeathed to the Clay Farm and its cultivators one of the most curious and 
truly puzzling was a quantity of Marl-pits, lu every held of 5 or 6 acres was a 
great jawuiug ' pit.' 

X 



xj\6 Lime and Marl. 

And Sir Anthony Fitzherbert in his Boke of Hushandrie 
published in 1523, frequently mentions the employment of 
Marl ; but in his list of Manures omits Lime altogether ; and 
this is extraordinary when we find a writer on the same 
subject some 70 years before, declare that " Lime even close 
to the kiln was dearer than oats"; and when we consider 
that all produce was carried away by pack-horse, so that 
lime-drawing would have been too expensive to pay.i 

It is thus easy to see that our forefathers had good reason 

for making- the Marlpit do duty for the Limekiln. 

"Human instinct and experience had discovered the lop of something whicl 
neither rain nor sunshine, nor even farm yard manure deprived of their elements 
could restore, before sulphates or phosphates had been christened ; hence the 
Marl-pits. " 

Theory : " This field, for instance, what does it want ? " 

Practice : " Lime." 

Theory: "Why?" 

Practice : " Because it would sweeten it." 

Theory : " But why 1 " and Practice is silent after centiiries of experience. 

The Chemist says: "Its effect arises from its avidity for combination; it 
searches out free acids, as a ferret dues a rat, and instantly doses with them. 
Sulphuric, poosporic, silicic, nitric, humic, and last not least, the ' Great Dis- 
yolver," Carbonic acid ; all these it makes known by seizing upon them and bee m- 
ing their baie ; thus disintegrating, as it were, and recousiructing tlie elem ntn o 
the soil, and exciting to a new action the sluggards of Nature wherever thev »r«" 
lurking. It is the Compo'er and Decomposer, for nature (-atnot suffer either 
process, but fertility must follow : re-composivioa (growth) has begun ere decom- 
position is over : does a latent atom of organic matter stand inert for one instant 
it is at him like a Policeman, — ' Come, kip moovin' ! ' " 

The ancient De Hugefort deed is translated as follows : — 

" And that they [the monks] may have all liberty and free common in woodf , in 
plains, in highways, in v^iths, in waters, in mills, in heaths, in turbaries, in 
quarries, ia fis'jt^ries, in marl-pits, and in all other places, and easements to the- 
afoFfsaid minor of T'lnge belonging, and that they may take marl at their pleasure 
to marl their land. ' * 

Here may be mentioned the curious grant of Roger la 

Zouche to Henry de Hugefort, thus described b)'^ Mr. Cox : — 

'• la after time.s we find Roger ZTouche of Ashby to be Lord of this Manor of 

Tonge, and tfca' h" did by a fair Oeed, uvder his Seal, on which was his 

* Translation supplied by the late Rev. W. AUport Leightoo. 



Hogs — Th:: Chaplet of Roses — Horses. 147 

Pourtraitiire on Horsebaclc in a Military Habit, grant unto Henry Hugefort, and 
his Heirs three Yardldiids, thre<j Mrssuages and certa u Wc ds in Norton and 
Shawt in this Parish of T.<Dge, with Pauuage for a great Niuiib-r of Hogs in thu 
Woods belonging to this bis Manor ; also Libc-rlies of Fishing in all his Waters 
'.here, except in the J great Pool of Tonge, with other privilt-gee, viz. : of gathe»in{' 
Nuts in his woods thore, &c. , retdriug yearly to him t)ie said Roger and his 
Heirs, a Chaplet of Rj^es upon tac Ft-a^t of the Nativity of St. John Baptist, iu 
case he or triey shall be at Tonge, if not, then to be i ut upon the Image of the 
blessed Virgin in vhe Churck of Touge, for all Services, Suits of Court, &c " 

This quit-rent of a Wreath of Roses is recorded among the 
rents due from the free tenants of the Manor to Sir Fulco de 
Pembrug-e, who died 1296. A visitor to Tong a century ago 
observed a garland upon the Pembruge tomb. Probably 
placed then upon the oldest monument of the Lords of Tong 
on the previous 24th of June, it commemorated the ancient 
custom, though not in the strict letter, which was impossible 
seeing that the Image of the Virgin had been removed from 
the Church. Mr. Lawrence says he renewed the custom.* 

The " mill field," about an acre, is not clearly distinguished, 
but it may be the bit south of the marl pits. The mill must 
have been the one where Humphrey Pendrell carried on his 
business, now known as vShackerley Mill, formerly pertaining 
to the Convent of White Ladies. 

"Ambling meadow," possibly where the same ladies of the 
Nunnery rode their palfreys. 

In those days they rode astride like the men. Chaucer 
tells us how they rode : — 

Upon au kmbler esily she sat, 
Ywimpled well, aud on hire hede an hat, 
A.I brode as is a bokeler, or a targe. 
A fote-iuaiitel about hire Uippes large, 
And on hiie fete a pair of uporres sliarpe. 

" No sporres sharpe " were needed when the sensational 
"Sir Hugo" won The Derby for Lord Bradford in 1892, a 
year in which there were 259 entries, the fourth larj^est num- 

t Names still dis-tinguishing part of th« Parish. tThe grciit poole— query, Norton Mere. 
* Vide paper read at Archasological Society's visit. 



148 Sai.t-Maktng— ToNG Lake Tournament. 

ber on record ; nor can many parishes boast, as Tong can, to 
have been the galloping ground of a Derby winner, whose 
owner owned the land and bred the colt. 

The Abbies and Convents had to get their own salt made, 

it seems ; and I read, I thmk, in an article of Mr. H. F. J. 

Vaughan's — whether he was quoting from Eyton's Antiquities 

of Shropshire or not I forget — that the salt works of Lilleshall 

Abbey were at Donnington near Albrighton. The following 

letter throws some light on Salt-making : — 

Letter from Roger Bcdall, 3 Dec , about 1542. 
Ri^ht worshypple masters, my ilewty rememberyd, i have me c'>nimeijdyd unto 
yow, sertyfying jow that your servanttesliathedemawndyd ot me serien i<ahe that 
the abbye of Bord> "ley hade yerly, for the whiche sawite that w»s laaie made 1 
have payd to Mr. Taomas Evans liij*-. iiijti. Consytheryng the chargys t'lerto 
belongyug, 1 thynke hyt be all payd, hoo llier ys no moie dewe to b*- p^yd as yet ; 
for Bord) sley salte ys wont to be made alwi-ys bevwene Estur aiid Penteycoste. 
The chargys that belongythe to the salte makyng 

Item, for ih« salte makyug xs. 

Item, for the cuttyng of the wod ij». 

Item, for the beryng of the bryne xyjd. 

Item, for the drawyng of the bryne vd. 

Item, for the rep»racyoa ef the. fates [vats] xvjd. 

Also, for the getheryng of the rent 

and the makyng of th« ta'^te, my 

fifee is yerly a lyverye cole and ...vj*. viji 

To the ryght worshypple 
Mr. Scuddamore and Mr. 
Burgoenye thys be 
delyvered with sped, di 

With regard to Tong Lake, a sheet of water of some 2 '. 

acres in extent, the following old placard has been sent me b} 

John H. Clarke of Tong Norton : — 

Pbogkamme 

OF THE TOURNAMENT ON THE LAKE AT TONG 

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 16th, 1839. 

The Cecilia, Lotus, and Water Witch, having four Champions and a Bugle man, 
with the Crew of each Boat in uniform to correspond with the Flags, wdl start 
from Vauxhall Gar.l«us at 12 O'clock make a circuit round the Lake, and draw uji 
in friint of the Fairy Isle, from whence the Queen of Love and Beauty will givetb- 



ToNG Lake Tournament. 



149 



si<?nal by lowering her flag for the Cannon to fira and the Tilting to commence 
which will be performed during their procession rouud the Islands. Wheu the 
lijats meet ihe Hagles souad the Charge, and the Champion stanning on the stern, 
v'ith his Lance adv meed, will eudeavour to overthrow his antagoni>^t. 

The Vanquished will be immediately succeeded hy another Champion till the 
whole have b«en encountered, when the two last will receive the Prizes from the 
<^Uf eu of Love and Beauty. 

The Gold Purse to the Champion who has vanquished the greatest number, and 
the Silver Purse to the other. 

When the Tilting is finished the following Coracles — 

Neptune- - - - Colour - - - Red 



Nautilus 
Mt-rmaid 
Por,,oiso 
Jim Crow 
Duck 'em 



- Blue 

- White 

- Yellow 

- Red & White 

- Blue & White 



Will start from Vauxhall Gardens, make the tour of the Lake, and draw up in 
front of the Fairy Isle, when the Quetn of Love and Beuuiy will give the signil by 
loweriug her Flag for the Cannon to tire, and the Race to Commence round the 
Westeru l&l.ind. 

The first Coracle that returns to the Starting Post will be entitled to the Ladies 
Purse. 

All the Champions who are overthrown and unsuccessful Competitors in the 
Race will receive a handsome remuneration. 

George Hbmpbnstall, Seneschal 
Francois dk Vos, Maitre D'Armes 
John Swan 
John Wedge 



Wardens 



W. Parke, Woiverhampton (Printer). 

There is a grandeur about this programme worthy of old 
times ! Who were the Champions, and the Bugleman ? The 
Seneschal we know, and the Wardens are old Tong names ; 
and was the Fairy Isle the same as the reed bank of to-day ? 
Above all, who was the Queen of Love and Beauty ? Or were 
there two Queens ? What a charming "Queen of Love " little 
Miss Sybil Kenyon Slaney would be. 

Four Champions in three boats sounds awkward. Probably 
they carried long lances and thrust at each other, as was done 
by Tilting Knights on horseback in old times. The horses 
were set at a gallop, and the shock of a lance-thrust, received 
at such a pace, may better be imagined than described. The 
lance was often broken, or the rider unhorsed. The legenJ 



150 ToNG Lakb — Coracles — Tong Factory. 

on iVJarmion's shield, Sir Waiter Scott tells us, ran 

" Who cQecks at me to death is dyghte." 

A few old tilting lances are preserved in the Tower of London ; 
they are of light wood, and from memory I should guess them 
to be about 15ft. long, and 3 or 4 inches through at the butt 
end. 

The Coracle is a small wicker boat, the ancient British 
Curwgll, which a man can carry on his back, and is rowed 
with one oar. It requires skilful manipulation, or easily cap- 
sizes. Old fishermen on the Severn, near Shrewsbury, are 
very clever with the coracle, and it is still used on some rivers 
in Wales and Ireland. 

Some names are readily traceable to occupations. Hempen- 
stall, ;^io worth of hemp or flax was to be bought by Lord 
Pierpoint's Will, to be worked up by the poor, and then sold to 
apprentice poor children. He also bequeathed a sum to buy 
Staffordshire or '' Shalloon " wool to be worked up by the 
poor, and when woven, to allow each widow a gown. There 
was a room over the College porch belonging to the Manufac- 
tory. 

Items in Heayse's accounts occur which probably relate to 

this factory : — 

1803. Mrs Andrews — Repairing the washing mill, Is. ; a board fvT the washing 
mill & •., 2s. 8d. ; webbing lor the mill, a. .a i.ail.'-, 4d. 

The v/oik-house or factory was at Tong Norton, a thatched 
building. 

The Wedges are numerous in Tong ; and old John Wedge, 
who lived at Neachley Brook, a worthy old man, was a walk- 
ing compendium on Tong parish matters. The name 
is undoubtedly traceable to occupation at the Forge 
or Forge hammer, or Wheels. John Wedge it seems won 
the coracle match and ;^2, and Abraham Hempenstall the 
tilting match. There were supposed to be 3,000 persons 
present and 300 carriagesf 

t Ex. Salopian Journal, iSjg. 



Clock:\iakers of Tong. 151 

William Woolley. — He was clerk in 1801, and a clock- 
maker ot no small repute, who carried on his business at 
Tong Hill. The late Charles J. Horton (who gave me a 
a curious Tudor Jug, with Medallion of Queen Mary, which 
belonged to his grandmother) told me that Woolley got the 
"works" for his clocks from Coventry. The Earl of Brad- 
ford has a clock of his make, as also have James Tetherton, 
of Park Pales, Mrs. Alice Turner (Charles J. Horton's niece), 
William Stevenson, of Cross Roads, whose parents had it 
70 years ago. Woolley was an apprentice of John Baddele/, 
blacksmith, of Tong, who made Sheriffhales clock, and was 
" Clockmaker to King George," as I am told. Mrs. Geor^';e 
Parker (now Salter) has a clock made by " Baddeley, Tong." 
She is a daughter of a worthy old Foreman of Labourers, 
now disabled, named Samuel Greatbach. He found a piece 
of the old Forge mill-wheel. John Jones, of Tong Lodge 
("Rosy Jones"), had a clock made by Woolley & Son, 
Albrighton. His wife is a Salter, one of the oldest families of 
Tong. George Salter was one of the Manorial Jury in 1719 
who knew the " Manor Boundarye." Benjamin Andrews* 
father, of Tong Norton, made the frames for these clocks. 
It seems Thomas Ore was also a Tong clockmaker, and 
made the present sundial at Tong in 1776. They are "grand- 
father " clocks, and it Mras the custom for each young couple 
who got married to have one of " Woolley's " clocks. 

There is a Salter's Hall at Newport, possibly a name deriv- 
able in connection with the fish-iaUiu^ tliere. 

In 1808 Heayse's accounts refer to William Woolley, Esq.: 
In 181 1 he lived at Neachley. In 1808 Heayse put up a 
bridge at Butters Brook for Mr. W. Jones, of Tong Parish, 
costing 17/6. Wiiich brook is this? In i8og, James 
Ellis came to work for him at 1/6 a day. In 1813, Nov. 14, 
Mr. Smith, of Weston — 2 pair of large stocks, £1 5s. od. ; 



152 N/SMES AND Sayings, 

Newport, at the Fair, cash 7/- ; Easter week, ;^i ; Codsall 
Wake, 5/-; Emingham's cocking, 4/- (what is this?); 
stockings, 3/6; Wake, 10/6; cash, Nov. 26, gallowses and 
ale ; cash for a Harper, 4/- ; brass for cards, 6d. ; cash, 
£1 IS. od., old Nan. " Clew" means a ring at the head of a 
scythe, from the Anglo Saxon. Mr. Clews was a tenant in 
Tong, lately, whose father was gardener to Lord Bradford. 
"Jimmy Beresford, the artist," says " they soul at Tong, and 
always have done," i.e., on All Souls' Day, and that if you 
bring the spade or pikel in the house they say •' ther'll be a 
death in the family." Also, " the crows whirling about is a 
sign of rain ! " Milner is a corruption of Miller, and Great- 
batcli from the batch of flour baked at one baking, or brought 
from the mill. Picken suggests an occupation, and Gamble 
is from gambrel. Bourne is a boundary stream. Haighway 
from John *' of the highway." Yate and Yates from gate. 
Crowther a player on an ancient violin. 

In i88r, the population of Tong was 498 ; in 1801, 404 ; in 
1831, 510. In 1891, population 445. 

Some other local sayings are, " to scratch for the 'adlant," 
i.e., hurry to reach a place before a certain time ; " hnsscl," 
household goods ; " with a jaundiced eye," i.e., evil and 
prejudiced," "twarly," illtempered : " it rained cats and dogs 
at his funeral," a sure sign of a not very good life 1 " By the 
dumpty derry," a jocular oath; " Wrong way of the Charley," 
misconstrued or perverted intention ; " gallus," a wag. 

Of names we find Leichfield, the field of dead corpses, 
hence lich-gates to church-yards. — Newport means the new 
haven, or way ; Parker, keeper of a park, or to inclose ; 
Pierepoint de petra ponte ; Shuker means a bender ; Stanley. 
a stony hill ; Taylor, from Tailere, to cut ; Twiss, a twin ; 
Vernon, green-springing, or a town in Normandy."' 

•Ex. Gougli's Myddle. 



Namfs and l^r.ACPS -Rare Biri>s. 155 

The name of HARTLEY will long be associated with the 
tenancy of Tong Castle. The late Mr. John Hartley died in 
his 72nd year. He was a deputy lieutenant for Staffordshire^ 
and J. P. for Stafford and Salop Counties, one of the partners 
in Chance & Sons' well-known Glass Works, and later a 
partner with his brother-in-law, Major Thorneycroft, J. P., in 
Messrs. G. B. Thorneycroft & Co.'s large Ironworks and. 
Collieries, a member of the Ro5^al Coal Commission and chair- 
man of the South Staffordshire Iron Trade, and many years a 
Director of the L. & N.W. Railway. Mr. Hartley married in 
1839, Emma, a daughter of Mr. G. B. Thorneycroft, of 
Wolverhampton, the lady who now resides at Tong Castle, 
and interests herself much in promoting the happiness of her 
friends, and the cottagers. 

There seem to have been four public-houses in Tong', if not 
more. There were three at Tong Norton, viz.: — 

The Horse Shoes, where George Meddings now lives, near the Smithy. 
Tlie Bush, in the hjllow, Tormerly kept by Mrs. Jane Jones. 
The Plough, at th3 north end of the tihaw Lane ; and 
The Red House was an Inn in Tong Village. 

Birds of some rarity are frequent visitors to Tong, and 
they have beeiii noted in the 'I ranmctlons of tlie Shropshire 
ArchcBjlot^ical Social if (voi.~^iii. , pt. 4, &c.), from communica' 
tions furnished by Colonel the Hon. F. C. Bridgeman, M.P. 
of Neachley, who, like his father, the Earl of Bradford, is an 
ardent naturrili.st ; they include Grebes, Herons, Pochards, 
&c. 

Reliable contributions of that kind .ire always appreciated 
by the Society, whose operations now are so undervalued- 
alas ! 



^ ^^ 



5^^>P|f^<:«'^^ 





THE DURANT FAMILY. 

OME account of Mr. Durant's family is given on 
pages 89 to 92. The following addenda may be of 
interest. 

Probably few country parishes bear more striking marks of 
a family's ownership than does that of Tong. Whether these 
are calculated to increase our respect for the name or other- 
wise is not for me to say. Certainly many old landmarks, 
were demolished or lost sight of in that time, notably the 
College, the Almshouses, and Sir Harry Vernon's picturesque 
Castle itself; but on the other hand, large sums of money 
were spent greatly in the employment of labour — and there- 
fore deserving of high commendation — in forming water 
carriers, in rebuilding the Castle, in razing old and ugly 
dwellings, and in the erection of new ones. On the whole 
perhaps a more judicious and discriminating use of his means 
would have commended itself to all who know the place at 
the present time. About 1760 Mr, Durant purchased Tong 
Castle and Estate from the Duke of Kingston, and he 
appears forthwith to have commenced to chop off" the strag- 
gling parts of the old Castle, and to reface the main building 
with the mixed Moorish and Gothic exterior forming the im- 
posing facade which now presents itself to our view, and to 
carry out his other " improvements.''' 

The ownership by Mr. Durant and his family extended to 
within a few years of a century, and Mrs. F. O. Durant's 



The.Durant Family. 155 

decease and lier son's changfe of residence from the neigh- 
bouring town of Shifnal sever the last linK which associated 
that name with the district. I append a letter from the elder 
Mr. Edwin Durant. 

Shifnal, 8 Sept., 1884. 

My Dbak Sir, — I regret it is not in my power to give jou any particulars of 
importance of my "blessed" ancestor.''. 

Th« tablrt piving the names of children who were then alive (and which v as 
erectf-d by my grandfather) does not contain all the names by some half score, »>? 
my Father Francis Ossian, and May, who sre buried in our vault, were tten living 
as well as Ernest Beaufoy and Augustus. (These -3 la«t, T think, are not buried a' 
Tong. B, and A. are not, but I am rot quite sure about Ernest). 

■Womd it not be well to mention that the sketch of "Little Nell" in Dickens's 
work is taken trom Tong Church ? 

Faithfully yours, 

EDWIN DURANT, 

It is said (1893) that on the Durant Tomb being opened for the burial of Mr, 
and Mrs. F. 0. Durant there was found half-a-crown on the coifin of one already 
buried there, it being the legacy left that person by Mr. Durant, and which person 
refused to receive it during life — so it was placed on his coffin after death, and so 
paid. 

George Durant, Esq., purchased the Castle, &c. , in 1760, 
having married Maria, daughter of Mark Beaufoy, Esq., 
leaving- a large family, 

Mr. George Durant, his son, was a minor at his father's 
death in 1780. He married first Miss Eld of Seighford, and 
secondly, in 1830, Celeste, daughter of M. Caesar Lafefve, 
By his first marriage he had issue a son, George Stanton Eld, 
who predeceased him, but leaving a son, George Charles 
Selwyn, who sold Tong Castle Estate in 1855 to the Earl of 
Bradford. 

The following pages are of private raiher than of general 
value, and the result of stray notes made during the frequent 
sight of these which may be properly termed, '' Durant 
Oddities," dating from the second Mr. Durant's period, 
called Col. Durant. They may be of secondary interest now, 
but simple accounts of familiar objects become dignified by 



156 The HniRMiTAGE and Convent Lodge. 

lapse of time, and to their happy preservation are we indebted 
for some valuable details of the domestic history of bygone 
days. I venture to think that such records also make us 
regret the less the necessitous removal of those old things 
themselves, which modern requirements have rendered in- 
convenient or perhaps valueless. 

1 he Hermitage at Tong, to be seen from the Albrighton 
Road, is so called from the fact that a miserable poor half- 
witted man once chose to dwell in a cave-like place cut in the 
rock behind it. He dressed himself in a kind of tunic or 
coarse cloth, and wore a long white untriinmed beard. He is 
said to have been a gentleman who had seen better days. He 
got together some money at one time, but afterwards lost it, 
and for several years chose to inhabit this dismal cavern, 

Mr. Hubert Smith, in Shrops. Trans., vol. i, p. 171, says 
he was called Carolus, but his real name was Charles Evans. 
He died in a house at the back of the Castle, says the Gentle- 
mcnis Magazine of 1822. " Oct. 6, Shropshire : C. Evans, 
better known by the name of Carolus, the Hermit of Tong, 
where he had lived seven years in a lonely and romantic cell, 
on the domain of G. Durant, Esq." 

Near by this place and the Convent Lodge is a handsom.e 
octagonal stone Pulpit, six sides of which have open tracery. 
It is built upon one of the wing walls on the south side of the 
massive wrought iron Gates, which form the principal 
approach to Tong Castle. 

The pulpit is very similar to the Oratory in the Abbey 
Yard, Shrewsbury, but is of modern date. 

The roof is of stone, and around the outside on each face 
of the octagon are little emblems carved in imitation, or 
perhaps ridicule, of heraldry and religion ; such as the follow- 
ing :— a harp, a censer, an hourglass, an axe, flag and spear, 
cro.?.9-I:eys, a quatrefoil, a mullet, 4 fleur-de-lis with hearts 




< 

u 

a 
z 

o 



Entrance Lodge to Tong Castle 



'0/ 



thereon, a bell, a crescent, a wreath, cross-spears, lozenges, 
and a Maltese cross. Inside the Pulpit is a rude stone seat 
with lion-head ends. The doorway is on the west side, and 
is reached by steps from the Convent Lodg-e garden and 
shrubbery. On one step we are just able to see the well- 
known lines. I think they are Tom Moore's : — 

Tlie harp th'it one- through Tar a s halls 

The soul o/mufiir, shed, 
No\o hangs as mute on Tara's i^-'alls, 

As if that soul vierefltd. 

In the West wall of the Lodge itself a stone bears other 
two verses of the same melody : — 

No more to Chi-'/s and Ladies lyright 

The harp of Tar a swells ; 
Thi". Chord aloiv, that breaks at night, 

Its tale of ruin tells. 

Thu- Frtedom now so seldom waJces, 

The only throb she gives 
I.t when some heart indignant breaks, 

To shew that still she lives. 

The gate-pillars and wing-walls of the Entrance Gates are 
elaborately carved stonework, of fantastic design, the coping 
being crenulated, and having a continuous rope-like cresting 
ending in tassels. 

Similar emblems to those before named are introduced 
upon the pillars ; and the faces of the walls on the side next 
to the high road are relieved by stone entablatures of the 
Castle, viewed from the East and West respectively, the 
Durant arms, &c. ; there are also niches, and piercings in 
the forms of a St. Andrew's and a Latin cross. On the 
pulpit is this Greek line : — 

Tov deo'v c{)ol3ei(r9£ tov Ba(riA:'a TL/xaT€^ 

These piercings appear in other walls built in the vicinity. 

The south wing-wall is much the longer of the two, and its 
terminating pillar at the south end bears this inscription : — 



15^ Approach to Tong Casti e. 

posteritati sacrum 

impensis 
geo.: durant ar. 

1821. 
(De(iicated to his descendants at the expense of George Diirant, Esq., 1821.) 

A stone shield in the East Wall of the Convent Lodge has 
upon it, a bend, between 5 rings (3 and 3). This, I think, is 
partly a caricature of the arms of Sir Thomas and Lady 
Harries of Tong Castle, or of their youthful daughter, Mrs- 
Ann Wylde, whose monument is in Tong Church. 

Near to the Convent Lodge and within the Shrubbery is a 
white stone pedestal surmounted by a ball, bearing this in- 
scription : — 

AB HOC 

MOMENTO 

PENDET 

yETERNITAS 

(On this moment hangs Eternity.) 

The two jaw-bones of a whale form an arch over the gate- 
way on the same drive, a little nearer to the Castle. Upon 
each is a legend. On the north one : — 

MORS JANUA VIT^ 
(Death the Gate of Life.) 

On the south one :■ — 

POST TOT NAUFRAGIA PORTUM. 
(A Haven after so manr Storms.) 

The bones are about 16 feet higii, tapering from a foot wide 
to six inches, and are three or foar inches through at the 
thickest part. 

On a stone pedestal surmounted by a well-carved urn of 
stone : — 

GEO : DURANT 

OBT. 1780. 

JET. 8 46. 

SI MONUMENTUM 

REQUIRAS 

CIRCUMSPICE. 

(If you need a memorial [of me] look around.) 



FOWLHOUSE — TONG PrIORY, &C. 159. 

This epitaph was insciibed, I believe, by Sir Christopher 
Wren on St. Paul's Cathedral. 

Over the three shutters, through which coals are throwa 
into the Castle coal-house, is the word : — 

MAUSOLEUM. 

Other buildings upon the property bear mottoes. The 
wheelwright and coffin-maker's shop has a stone suitably in- 
scribed : — 

IN MORTATE LUCRUM. 
(In Deutli is Gain.) 

On Vauxhall Cottage is a semicircular stone bearing in 

colours a circular shield ( a fesse indented a chief 

ermine) beneath a fleur-de-lis crest and the 'canting' motto: — 

BEATI QUI DURAN.T i8io; 
(Blessed are those who endure ; or, Blessed are the Durants.) 

And near this place is a pyramidal Egyptian Fowl-house,, 
into the sides of which are built bricks with encaustic facings, 
havmg pictures of birds, and these terse mottoes: — 

"LIVE AND LET LIVE." 

"SCRAT BEFORE YOU PECK" 

"TRIAL 1!Y JURY.- 

"TLACH YOUR GRANNY." 

"CAN YOU SMELL." 

"GIVE EVERY (DOG) HIS DUE." (DAY?) 

"HONE.STY 16 THE BEST POLICY." 

Another little pyramidal building at Belle Isle Cottage 
bears : — 

" PARVA SED APTA." 
(Saiall but coave;iicnt.) 

Upon a classic monument in Toag pYiory grounds : — 

M.S. 

Georgh Hamilton (Sacred to the Memory 

Legiona Regis of George Hamiltun of 

Armigeri the King's Guards 

In Ballo et Pace Gentleman. In war and 

Virginti Annos poace he consecrated 201 

Geurgiam Brittaniae years (to the Georges > 

Consecruvit of Britain. Born 14 

Natum 14 Nov. 177a Nov. 1770 di.jd iS^a.) 

Ob. iSia. 



i6a Adam's Ai.k — ^^Ioi.ian Harps. 

In the rock below the Castle, near where the old mill stood, 
is a Dropping Well labelled : — 

ADAM'S ALE, 

LICENSED TO BE DRUNK ON THE 

PREMISES. 

1838, 

A two-roomed Building (now used as a foreman's cottage) 
bears : — 

LOUVRE, 

and another Building near has panels in style in rude imita- 
tion of an Egyptian man and woman. A lozenge-shaped 
shield between them has the Durant crest, arms, and motto, 
and OB. 18 JET : 

Upon each pillar of the Gateway to this little yard was an 
iEolian Harp, which cadenced sweet music to unappreciative 
animals. One of these instruments still remains in a dilapi- 
dated condition. Some eight lines upon a stone in one of 
these pillars are nearly illegible. They are, I find, after 
much searching, taken from Sir Walter Scott's " Lady of the 
Lake." 

Harp of the, North I that mouldering long hast hung 

And down, the fitful breeze thy Jimnhcrs flung, 
TiU envious ivy did around thee cling, 
Mufflinj with verdant ringlet f.vry string — 

Vh minstrel harp I still must Uune accents sleep ? 
Mid rustling leaves a7id fountains murmwring. 

Still must thy sweeter sounJs their sdence keep, 

If or bid a vianiour smile nor teach a maid to weep. 

In the Park of Tong Castle is a pretty Dove-house. (See 
illustration). There is a similar one at Haughton. Every 
manor Jiouse had its dove-cot in old times. 

The north or Kosary Lodge, the Round House at the 
Forge, and " the Hall," a farm-house in Tong (which latter 
became Mrs, Celeste Durant's), are examples of fantastic 
brick structures. 




Dovecot 
Tong - 




^^■v V.,'-NN\\^i?>' 



'^ The church froTn ■'• 
the west sheNving 
Tuins ••• ' " "* ■ 



Respice Finem. i6i 

Of Mr. Durant's erections perhaps should be specially 
mentioned the Monument, which formerly stood on the Knoll, 
on a site a few yards east of the Flag Tower built by the 
present Earl of Bradford in 1883. ^^ 'was an octagonal cottage 
of three stories, and had a stone roof finished with a vane, 
and was occupied, together with a few acres of land, by an 
industrious cottager, whose children. Lord Bradford informs 
me, roamed amid the towering bracken. The story goes thus, 
about Mr. Burant's erection. Built, in questionable taste, to 
record Mr. Durant's success in a prolonged law-suit against 
his own wife, her annoyed but powerless sons shared her 
disgust at its obtrusive existence, and planned its destruction. 
While Mr. Durant lay upon his dying bed two barrels of gun- 
powder were placed in the foundations of the monument, and 
the same night that saw his decease saw the cottage a heap 
of ruins. A man who now lives at Tong Hill, who was then 
a keeper at Woodcote (7 miles away), heard the detonation, 
anu was so much alarmed as to attribute the unusual noise to 
nothing less than a " hearthquake." 

Fifty years later, among some debris near, were found some 
stones, one inscribed — 

" FERAMUS," 

another — 

An. Jubil. Quia quae 
Reg. Geo. Ter. 

Oct. XXV. MOCCCLX. (?) 

And a third, which becomes a fitting motto to conclude this 
paper — 

RESPICE FINEM 
" Remember the end." 



(^A5 (IAS eA£) dAS) QAS eA5 CIAS 
GVo b/3 GYc) GYl) GYO G^^ 6"/S 

<■ ^ )<jv if\> yi>t vAv 3<jy )<|> ifj^ y^* 

e^vv C1.-.9 (i.'^s e.^ e.'-.': ^i..^ ^l--s 

GYc) GYc) GYo GYc) GYS bTO GTd 




TONG CHURCH REGISTERS. 




APTISMS, marriages, and burials are all entered 
promiscuously down to the death of Thomas- 
Hall, 1765. 

We read that registers were begun to be kept 
in every parish in 30 Henry VHI. (i539,)> *rid. 
by the injunctions of the young King Edward VI. " all 
parishes were to keep a register booke in the parish chest." 

Registers began by being simply labours of love on the part 
of the clergy, and after many years received partial recognitioa 
as public documents. In early times, the Monastic Registers- 
— priceless records, of which too many were scattered during, 
the fanaticism which carried everything before it between the 
suppression of monasteries and the re-organisation of the 
Church — supplied the place of the Parish Registers. But as 
the deaths registered were as a rule only those of important 
persons, the object being to tell when masses became due,, 
their value is limited. Ordinary folk in those ages, and long 
subsequently, contented themselves with private records, or 
with entering the births, deaths, and marriages of their 
families on the fly-leaf of a family Bible, or, when Bibles were 
scarce, on the blank pages of books of devotion. In 1538 
Thomas Cromwell ordained that regular Parish Registers 
should be kept, in order to meet the needs created by the sup. 
pression of Religious Houses. This injunction, however, was 
carried out so carelessly that in 1597 Elizabeth ordered, not 
only that the Registers should be better kept, but that copies- 



ToNG Parish Registers. 163 

should be sent to the Bishops. During the Commonwealth, 
the Registers again fell into irregularity, and on the Restora- 
tion it was found that many of them were lost, probably having 
been destroyed. After the Restoration the Parish Registers 
begun to become more interesting, and even entertaining. 
They contain notices of a host of events, lay as well as ecclesi- 
astical, in addition to the usual entries of births, deaths, and 
marriages. 

The earliest entry in Register now in use is — 

Thomas son of Edw. Bistan and Joyce his wife b. Oct. 10 1616 

Roger Boult aud Jane Wenlock m. May 1, 1636 

John Wh„eler was bu. May 5 1630, and lyeth 3yds. south from the east comer 
of tno Golden Cha^^el. 

Anne w. of Thos. Scot was bu. June 28th 1636 

Frances d. of Wui. Pjerpoint was born 1 Sept. 1630, b. 1 Oct. 

Eleanor d. of Wm. Pierpoint Etq. and Eliz, his wife was baptized Sept. 4 
163(1 or 2) 

Margaret Pierpoint their dau. bapt. Oct. 2 163 (2 or 3) 

Dorothy Gilfard was bu. Sept. 30 634 

Robert, sou of Wm, and Eliz. Pierpoint b. Sept. 20 1634 

Dame Elinor Harries was bu. Apl 9 1635 

Mrs, Mar^-t. Harries was bu. Aug 1636 

Hy. son of ihe Hon. Wm Pierpoint and Eliz. his wife was b. Aug 15 1637 

Wm. son of Wm. Pierpoint bu. Nov. 13 1640 

Elizabeth wile of Wm. Pierpoint of Tong Castle was bu. July 1 1656 

1648 liurried was Thos. Lawrence gent. 

1692 Burried was Eliz. dau. of the Hon Gervas Pierpoint Aug 30th 

1715 Burried was tlie Hon Gervas Pierpoint June 4th 

1738 iiurried was the Hon H. Willoughby Dec. 11th 

1722 Smallpox raged 

1694 Bulled was Featherstone of Bromsgrove Oct 11 

1777 Geo. son of &<;o. Durant E»q. and Maria his wife, of Tong Castle, was 
born in the Parish of St Margaret's Westminster Apl. 25th 1776 in the presence of 
Mary Cusiu and Mrs. L<tngley midwifes, and was baptized by me 15 Apl. 1777. 
Thomas Buckeridge, Minister of Tong. 

1780 Aug. 16 Geo. Durant of Toug Castle died Aug. 16 

1799 Fras. Humpage uutortuaatoly suffocated 

May 15th 1660 there was colected in the Church of Tong s8 11 for Soathwold 
Suflolk 

Aug. 25lh Collected »i5 10 for Willeuhall Staffie. 

Foi- ti.e Towu of Poole [Welshpool] Montgomeryshire, who had suflFered a great 
loss by tiro there was collected ihe sum s2 3 June 16th 1667 

Collected in ihe Chmch of Toug at the request of the inhabitants of Sheriffhales 
towards iho relief of those that suffered there £3 14 4, 1663 

b. bapt., m. marr., di. died. bu. buried. 



164 Parish Registers — Tong and Gunpowder Plot. 

March 14 1717 it began to snow at five o'clock in the afternoon and without any 
intermission continued till Monday 16th ; a strong wind blew at the time ; it 
drove, the snow into hollow places to so great a height as to make the roads 
altogether impassable ; snow upon the level of the garden behind the castle 13 
inches deep ; 16 inches Court before it. It did snow again and frotze all n;ght, 
and the uight following. A vast number of sheep wtre buried under the snow, 
20 and 30 together. The sheep that lay hurried 5 or 6 days escaped, but those 
that continued longer under were found dend. So great a snow in so short a time, 
and in a season so far advanced, had never been seen by anybody in the Parish. 
It occasioned as it had done the year before a mighty bright meteor in the air at 
night, some few days after it had melted away. 

In 1715 April 22 there happened to be au eclipse of the Sun which continued 
total ab.mt 2 minutes, during which time several stars did appear ; all things looked 
much darker than they do during twiliiiht, insomuch that the largest prints 
could not be rtad in the open fields, nor hardly anybody be seen in the house. 

I have been told that "the Parish Register before Mr. 

W 's time [he died in 1596] was written in several 

pieces ot parchment or paper/' subsequently transcribed into 
one book, the latter being attested by two Churchwardens. 
This refers to the Parish Clerk who answers to that descrip- 
tion in the present day, and not to the Clerk or priest of the 
parish. 

Old Gough of Myddle tells us about Parish Clerks : — 

The firsi that I remember was Will. Hunt, a person very fitt for the place as to 
his reading and singing with a clear and audible voice ; but for his writeing I can 
say nothing. 

On Christmas day in the afternoone when the minister had gone out of 
Churche this Will Hunt sung a Christmas caroll in the Churche, being assisted by 
old Mr. who bore a base exceedingly well. 

In Will Hunt's successor's time there was an ordinance of parliament that there 
ahonld bee a parish register sworne in every parish. His office was to publish the 
banns of marriage, and to give certific^ites thereof ; and alsoe to register the lime 
of all births (not christnings), weddiuas, and burialls. 

The next was a person alt-^geathi-r unfitt for such an imployment. Hee can 
read but litle ; he can sing bin oiie tune of the psalmes. Hee can scarse write his 
owns name, or read any written hand. 



Copy of ye original Proclamation for the observance of the 6th Nov. found among 
parish papers in ch.wds. chest and deposited by me with other papers in the 
parish cliest f jr the Registers. 

Anno 3 Jacobi Regis (1606). 

An Act for a publique Thanksgiving to Almighty Gcd every year on the 5th 
Novr, 



Gunpowder Plot. i6 

For as much as Almighty God hath in all ages shown His power and mercy in 
the mysterious & gracious deliverance of His Church & in ye p»tection of 
R-jligious Kings and States & that noe nation of y* earth hath been blest w** 
greater bonetitts than this Kiugdome now enjoyeth, having y« true and frie 
p" fession of y* go'^pel under o' most Sovcraign« Lord Kiug Jamrs — the most great, 
learned & religious King that ever reigned therein inricht with a m ist hopeful! 
& plentiful pogenia p°c8eding out of his royal loynes, p<>mising continuance of 
his happiness & p°fession to all posterity, the w** many malignant d devilish 
Papists Jesuits & Seminary Priests much envvinge & fearinge conspired most 
horribly, when the King s most excellent M''' the Queene the Priucts & all the 
Lord spirituall and temporall, and Com°' sh"* have been assembled in the upper 
house of Parliament upon the 5"^ day Nov in the yeare o( our Lord 1605 suddenly 
to have blowne up the said whole house w'' gunpowder, an inveutiou (invention) 
80 inhumane barbtrous, & cruell as the like was never before heard of, and was, as 
some of the priocipall conspirators thereof confess, purposely devised & concluded 
to be done in the s* house. That whereas sundry necessary & religious lawes foj. 
the p* servation of the Church & State were made : that they falsely & slanderously 
t e r me .e f i ^g^^^,^^ enacted against them and their religion, both place 

and person sh** be all destroyed & blown up at once, wh w"^ have 
turned to the utter ruine of this whole Kingdome, had it not pleased 
Aliiiigbty God by enspyringe the Kinges most excellent ma''« with a Divine spirit 
to intrrprit some .;arke p'hrases of a letter shewed to his majesty : above & be- 
>onde all ordinary construction, thereby miraculously discovering this hiden 
treason not many hours before ye appointed time for y* execution thereof. There- 
fore the Kmgs most excellent Majesty the Lords Spiritual & Temporall & all his 
Majestys most faithful & loving subjects doe most wisely acknowledge this great 
& infinite blessiugo to have proceeded meardeley fr Gods grate mercie, and to his 
Holy Name doe ascribe all honor glory and praise. 

And to the end this unfaigned thankfullnesso may never be forgotten but be had 
in a perpetuall remembrance that all ages to come may yielde praise to bis Divine 
Majesty for the same & have in memory this w'fuU day of deliverance Be (Ke) it 
enacted by the Kings m^ist excelhnt m'>* the Lords Spiritual and temporall & the 
Comons in this p ' veut Parliament assembled & by the authority of the s^me 
that all and singular ministers in every Cathedrall & P*^ Church or other usual 
place for Com Pry within this realme of Enghiud & Domiuions of y* same, shall 
allwaies upon j* 5 day of Nov' ^ay morniug prayer & give unto Almighty God 
thanks for this moot happy delivtrancH & that all k every p'son & y" .>ouje in- 
habiting it in this realme of England & the dominions of >« same shall allwaise 
upon that day diligently & faithfully rei-ott to y« P»i» Ch or Chappell 
accustomed or to some usual ch or chapell where y* said ni'Tuing 
prayer, preaching or other service of God fhall be used & then k 
there to abide, & duly & sobarly duringe llie inue that the fuid prairs or preaching 
or other service of God used : And that all & every p'son may be put in mind of 
this duty & be the better p'pared to the said boly Service, be it inacted by 
autliority aforesaid that every minister shall give warumg to his p'shuers lu j« Ch 
at morning prayer the Sunday brfoie every such .5 day of Nov' fur the observaciou 
of y« sanl day, & that after m' riiiug prater or preaching upju the said 5 day of 
Nov they reade distinctly k plainly this p' sent act. 

GOD save y« Kinge. 



FAMOUS LADIES ASSOCIATED WITH TONG. 




Three maids unmatch'd in manners as in grace, 
Skill'd in each art and crown'd with every grace. 

'OTES upon Tong can hardly be closed without some 
reference to the celebrated ladies associated with it. 
Few country places can boast association with 
such distinguished ladies. They are VENETIA, LADY 
DIGBY, (of whom some account is given under the 
particulars of Monument No. 19), LADY MARY WORTLEY 
MONTAGUE, and MRS. FITZHERBERT; not to mention 
Elizabeth Chudleigh, Duchess of Kingston, and Isabella 
Forester, who married Lord Stafford. 

LADY MARY WORTLEY MONTAGUE was daughter 
of Evelyn, 5th Earl of Kingston, who was in 1706 created 
Marquis of Dorchester, by Queen Anne, and in 1716, 
Duke of Kingston ; and Tong was the scene of her 
early years, if not her birthplace (which is claimed by 
Thoresby). Her youth at any rate must have been 
passed between these two homes of the Pierpoint family. 
Her letters form a conspicuous part of the literary productions 
of her time. Born in 1690, she lost her mother in 1694, ^^^ 
being educated under the superintendence of Bishop Burnet, 
obtained a high degree of mental cultivation. She married 
Mr. Edward Wortley Montague by special license. Her 
father had refused him, because he would not make the 
necessary settlements ; and she had allowed him to encourage 
another suitor ; and matters had gone so far that the wedding 
clothes had actually been bought ; but, only making up her 
mind the evening before, she decided to run away with Mr. 
Montague, and was married on August 13, 1712. 



P£av 




^hT^^"^ 






Ladv Mary Wortley Montague. 



167 



It had fallen to the lot of the Duke of King'ston in 1690 to 
propose a beauty as the annual toast of the Kitcat Club, and 
a whim seized him to nominate his little daughter, Lady 
Mary Pierpoint, then 8 years old. Some of the members- 
demurred, as they had not seen her. The Duke sent for her, 
and when she arrived, finely dressed, she was received with 
acclamations, her health drunk, her beauty extolled on every 
side, and she was petted and caressed by all present, the 
company consisting of some of the most eminent men La 
England. 



L «: ' jaE^-J^UWKAWJk^L'*^!J-ii.J»A! 



r-.jkt.:.!^JLiAigu-^--', 




Walpole, writing in 1762, describes his visit to this strange- 
lady :— 

"I found her in a little miserable bedchamber of a ready furnished 
house, with two tallow-candles, and a bureau covered with pots and fans 



t68 Lady Mary Wortley Montague. 

On her head she had an old block-laced hood, wrapped entirely round, so 
as to conceal all hair, or want of hair. No handkerchief, but up to her 
chin a kind of horseman's ridirig-coat, made of dark green brocade, with 
coloured and silver flowers, and lined with furs ; bodice laced, a foul 
dimity petticoat, sprig'd velvet muffeetens on her arms, grey stockings, 
and slippers. Her face less changed in 20 years than I could have 

imagined She is very lively, all her senses perfect, her 

language as imperfect as ever, her avarice greater. With nothing but an 
Italian, a French, and a Russian, all men-servants, and something she calls 
an iild secretary, but whose age till he appears will be doubtful, she 
receives all the world, and crowds them into this kennel. The Duchess of 
Hamilton, who came in just after me, was so astonished and diverted, that 
she could not speak to her for laaghing." 

Lord Byron, in describing the shores of the JEgeati and 
Bosphorus, thus refers to her : — 

And the more than I could dream. 

Far less describe, present the very view. 

Which charmed the charming Mary Montagu. 

The picture on the preceding page of Lady Mary entering 
the club is supplied by Mr. H. Blackburn, author of Boyal 
Academy Notes, 1884, by kind permission of Mr. Yeames, R.A. 

Edward Wortley Montague was in 1716 appointed 
Ambassador to the Porte, and she accompanied him to the 
East, and during his residence in the Levant wrote the well- 
known Letters, which form one of the most deliglitful books 
in our language. In 17 18 she returned lo England, and 
settled at Twickenham, where she renewed her acquaintance 
with Addison and Pope. In 1739 Lady Mary went to Italy 
for her health, and did not re-visit England till 1761, and died 
Aug. 21, 1763. During her residence in Constantinople she 
was enabled to confer on Europe a benefit of the greatest 
consequence, namely, inoculation for the small-pox, which 
was at that time universal in Turkey. She had so much faith 
in its safety that she tried it first on her own son. Lord 
Wharncliffe has a picture of her which she gave to her god- 
son."^ 

* Mr. H. A. Grueber says. 




Mrs. fitzherbert. 



(See fiage ifxf.) 



Mrs. Fitzherbert. 169 

Writing in 1730 from Dijon to her husband she says : — 

This is a very agreable Town, and I find ye air agree with meextreamely ; 
herein a great deal of good company, and I meet with more civility than I 
had reason to expect. I should like to pass ye winter here, if it was not 
for ye expense. I have been entertained by all ye considerable people, 
French and English. 

MARIA ANNA FITZHERBERT, born 1756, youngest 
daughter of WilKam Smythe, of Tong Castle, and niece of 
Sir E. Smythe, Bart , of Acton Burnell, married ist, Edward 
Weld, of Lulworth Castle, who died the same year, 1771 ; 
secondly, Thomas Fitzherbert, of Swinnerton, County Stafford, 
who died in 1781. 

Soon afterwards her beauty and fascinating manners 
attracted the particular attention of the Prince of Wales 
(George IV.), and she consented to a marriage with him 
according to the rites of the Roman Church, which marriage 
however was not permissible by the law of England, she 
being a Papist. In her memoirs written by the Hon. Charles 
Langdale, it is said that there was not one of the Royal Family 
who haH not acted with kindness to her, including the Queen 
of George III., herself. At the command of the Prince, Fox 
denied the marriage in the House of Commons, 

Earl Fortescue has a portrait of this lovely woman by 
Gainsborough, which she left to the Hon. Mri. Dawson 
Damer ; and the Earl of Portarlington has one by Sir Joshua 
Reynolds, whose studio she often visited with the Prince of 
Wales. The accompanying picture is after Cosway, who 
painted delightful miniatures of her, including two rings 
belonging to Lord Portarlington, one representing an eye of 
George IV. as Prince of Wales, and tiie other an eye of 
Mrs. Fitzherbert. 

Lord Portarlington has also a fine collection of 

^ miniatures and relics owned by that lady, one 

being a gold ring given to George IV. by her, 

■ bearing on it the poesy reading " L'ami de mon 

cueur," expressed by two musical notes, la mi, 

DE MO.\ in letters, and a heart. 
vv 




170 Mrs. Fitzherbert. 

The Graphic of March 5th, 1892. has an article about this 
lady, commencing with the hnes of a ballad, which are said 
to have some reference to Mrs. Fitzherbert : — 

I'd crowns resign to call thee viine, 
Sweet Lass 0/ Richmond Hill. 

We cannot question the charms of person and mind possessed by Mrs. 
Fitzherbert ; they enthralled one of the most volatile of Princes, and • 
under their fascination, induced that wayward youth to jeopardise the 
splendid prospects of heir to the Throne by marrying a lady who had been 
twice a widow whose religious faith, as well as the restrictions of the 
Royal Marriage Act, were insuperable barriers ; and who, moreover, had 
the formidable disadvantage of being seven years the senior of the 
enamoured swain. The Church of Rome received the pair as man and 
wife; the King, Queen, and members of the Royal family consistently 
treated the lady with respect and consideration. Mrs. Fitzherbert, who 
was a rigid and devout Roman Catholic, retired to the Continent. 
The enforced separation failed to allay the Prince's passion. He 
threatened numerous acts of folly, and, after lengthened absence, the 
return of Mrs. Fitzherbert was, by her advisers, counselled as the most 
prudent course in 1785. The Prince proposed the most romantic schemes. 
One morning affairs reached a crisis ; two of the Royal suitor's friends 
drove to Park Lane with the urgent request that the lady would hasten 
immediately to Carlton House, for the Prince lay bleeding to death. This 
highly-sensational summons sent the lady off in a flutter ; on her way to 
the Palace, she thought proper to call upon her confidential friend, the 
Duchess of Devonshire, and they decide i to fly to comfort the sufferer, 
and to receive his last sigh. The a-^itation of his feelings, the alarm- 
ing apprehensions of his confidential attendants, backed up by the violence 
of his passion, his reckless declarations, his moving entreaties, and the 
melting tears, convinced the lady that there was danger in standing aloof. 
On December 21st, 1785, in the presence of Mrs. Fitzherbert's connections, 
the nuptial ceremony was gone through at her house in Park Lane, accord- 
ing to the idtual of the Church of Rome, and also the Protestant service 
was performed by the Rev. Samuel Johnes. On the death of George IV., 
his successor authorised Mrs. Fitzherbert to wear royal mourning, and 
gave her the right of using the royal liveries ; moreover, William IV. pro- 
posed to make the lady a duchess, a distinction she, with excellent taste, 
thought proper to decline. It is said that by his own wish the miniature 
of Mrs. Fitzherbert was buried with the King, suspended round his neck. 

Mr. H. F. J. Vaughan writes to me, Nov. 17, 1884, as 

follows: — 

Mrs. Fitzherbert, the wife of George IV., was born in the Red Room 
at Tong Castle, having arrived somewhat unexpectedly during a visit of 



Vexetia Stanley, Lady Digby. 171 

her parents at Tong, as I was informed by the late Madame Durant, with 
whDse family my own was intimate. You are probably aware that her 
maiden name was Mary Anne Smythe, and that she was thrice married. 

One of the dearest friends of Mrs. Fitzherbert, Lady 
Horatia Seymour, in the last stage of a decline, was advised 
to go abroad to seek in change of climate her own chance of 
recovery, and had at that time an infant daughter, Miss 
Seymour, who became devotedly attached to Mrs. Fitzher- 
bert. 

There arose difficulties on account of Mrs. Fitzherbert's 
religion, and the question of custody became a Chancery suit. 
The opposing Counsel, the Attorney-General, observed that 
Mrs. Fitzherbert merited everything that could be said in her 
favour ; but whatever amiable qualities she might possess, the 
religion she professed excluded her from the right to retain 
the custody of a Protestant child. The Lord Chancellor 
however decided in favour of Mrs, Fitzherbert, and the child, 
who became Mrs. Lionel Dawson Damer, erected a monu- 
ment to her memory at Brighton, with the following inscrip- 
tion : — 

" In a vault near this spot are deposited the remains of Maria Fitz- 
herbert. She was born on the 26th July, 1756, and expired at Brighton 
on the 29th of March, 1837. One to whom she was more than a parent 
has placed this monument to her revered and beloved memory, as a 
humble tribute of her gratitude and aflection." 

The hand of the figure had three rings on it, bearing 
evidence of the triple marriage of her departed friend. 

VENETIA STANLEY, OF TONG, married Sir Kenelm 
Digby. " With the exception of Lady Rich, no woman has 
been made the theme of so much song that deserves to live as 
Venetia Digby." Tong Castle was the birthplace and scene 
of her early years, and she died there in 1633. Lord Claren- 
don speaks of her as " a lady of extraordinary beauty, and of 
as extraordmary fame." Her husband was so enamoured 
with her beauty that he is said " to have attempted to exalt 



172 Venetia Stanley, Lady Digby. 

her charms and preserve her health by a variety of whimsical 
experiments, and to have fed her with capons fed with the 
flesh of vipers, inventing for her use new cosmetics." Her 
beauty and fascination were the theme of many an eulogy by 
painter and poet. Ben Johnson has devoted some lines to 
her, including one lather long poem called " Eupheme." He 
tells us how to paint her, so : — 

Draw first cloud all save her neck, 

And out of that make day to break, 

Till like her face it do appear, 

And men may think all light rose here; 

Then let the beams of that disperse 

The cloud, and show the universe, 

But at such distance that the eye 

May rather yet adore than spy. 

The Heaven designed draw next as spring, 

With all that youth as it can bring. 

Four rivers branching forth as seas, 

And paradise confining these. 

Last, draw the circles ot this globe. 

And let there be a starry robe 

Of constellations 'bout her hurled. 

And thou hast painted beauty's world. 

Mr. Granger says* " Her beauty, which was much extolled, 
appears to have had justice done it by all the world." Mr. 
Skinner had a small portrait of her by Vandyck, in which she 
is represented as treading on envy and malice, and is unhurt 
by a serpent that twines round her arm.f Here the historian' 
and painter illustrate each other. This was a model for a 
large portrait for Windsor, where there is now, in the 
Vandyck room of the Castle, a full length picture of her, as 
well as a half length of her husband. Mr. Walpole had a 
miniature of her by Peter Oliver. There were two fine busts 
of her in the possession of Mr. Wright at Gothurst, Newport 
Pagnel, formerly the seat of Sir Kenclm Digby. There is a 
fine portrait of Sir Kenelm, by Vandyke, at Weston Park. 

The tomb to " Anastatia Venetia, Lady Digby," stood in 
Christ Church, London, but was destroyed in the great fire. 

* In the Attti(juariait Repertory Brit : Mus :^Cominunicated by T. Pennant, Esq., 1808. 
+ In the Anecdotes of Painting, Vol. IL, 2nd Edition, p. 102. 



Sir Kenelm Digby. 173 

The inscription was: — 

Mem : Sacmm, Venetics Edwardi Stanley Eqnitis Honoratiss. 
0yd. Balnei (Filii Thomce, Edwardi Comitis Derhice Filii) 
Filiis ac cohcsredi, ex Lucia T homes Comitis NortJmmbria Filia et 
CohcBvede ; Posuit Kenelmus Digby Eqiies Auratus Cui Quatuor 
Peperit Filios Kcnclmum Nat. vi Octohv. mdcxxv ; Joanncm Nat. 
xxix. Deccmb. mdxxvii ; Everardiim (in amis MortumJ Nat. xii. 
Jan- mdcxxix : Geovgiiun Nat. xvii. Jan. mdcxxxii. Nata est 
Deccmb. xix., vide. Denata Maii i. mdcxxxiii. 

Quin lex eadem monet onines 
Gemitum dare sorte sub una 
Cognataque funera nobis 
Aliena in morte dolere. 

TRANSLATION : 

Sacred to the memory of Venetia, daughter and coheiress of Edward Stanley, Knight ot 
the Most Honble. Order of the Bath, (son of Thomas [who was] the son of Edward, Earl 
of Derby). Erected by Kenelm Digby, Knight, to whom she bore four sons, Kenelm, born 
6th Oct., 1625; John, born 29 Dec. 1627; Everard (died in his cradle) born 12 Jan., 1629; 
George, born 17 Jan. 1632. [She was] born Dec. 19, 1600. Deceased May i, 1635. How 
the same law warns all to break firth into weeping under one fate and to deplore in 
another's death the death which we ourselves are born to undergo. 

Sir Kenelm Digby, Knight, son of Sir Everard Digby, exe- 
cuted on account of his participation in the Popish plot, was 
one of the most faithful adherents of Charles I. in the Civil 
War, and an exile in consequence during Cromwell's usurpa- 
tion. 

This " Ornament of England," as Sir Kenelm has been 
styled, wrote several learned books, and was a great bene- 
factor to the Bcdleian library by presenting it in 1633 with a 
large collection of MSS. ; he recovered the reputation of his 
family, and rendered it famous throughout the Christian 
world. He was born at Gothurst, 1603, and married in 1625. 
He returned to England in 1661, was appointed one of the 
Council on the first settlement of the Royal Society, died at 
his house in Covent Garden, nth June, 1665, (his birthday) 
leaving, by his wife Venetia, two sons and a daughter. He 
was descended from Edward Digby, Esq., High Sheriff of co. 



174 



Charles I. 



Rutland, and M.P., 1434. The ancient name was Tilton of 
Tilton, CO. Leicester, but that abode was abandoned for 
Digby, CO. Lincoln. 

He wrote two treatises of " Choice Receipts in Physick and 
Chirurgery and of Cookery," published in i66g, which con- 
tained receipts for the celebrated aurum potabile or digest of 
gold, bites of a mad dog, serpents, vipers, &c., spirits, sweet 
waters, for Scotch ale, Metheglin, Morello, currant, cherry, 
and strawberry wines, and many other curious receipts which 
are now obsolete. 

He wrote the " Broadstone of Honour, or True Sense and 
Practice of Chivalry," which JuUus Hare characterises " as 
that noble manual for gentlemen ; that volume which, had I a 
son, I would place in his hands, charging him, though such 
admonition would be needless, to love it next to his Bible." 

The Stanley Tomb, No. 19, bears the name of Venetia, and 
a long account of her parents and grandparents is given under 
the description of that monument. 

It may not be out of place to give here the portrait of 
King Charles L, the unfortunate prince whose queen's violent 
spirit and foreign temperament conduced so much to the 
disasters of his troublesome reign, and during whose time 
Tong Castle was burnt, and other memorabb incidents are 
recalled to the minds of Salopians. 

He was a good rather than a great man ; one of the most 
powerful and elegant writers of the Enghsh language, a Uberal 
patron of the fine arts, and but for the evil counsels by which 
he suffered himself to be guided, might have escaped the un- 
timely end to which he was brought by the offended judgement 
of a people determined to be free. 

Charles L, 1642, Sept. 20, Tuesday, came to Salop with his 
army, where he and the court were joined by Prince Rupert, 



Isabella Forster, Lady Stafford. 175 

Prince Charles, and the Duke of York, and geneio :sly con- 
descending to consider the worthy services of Sir Richard 
Newport, he advanced him to be a baron of England by the 
title of Lord Newport of High ErcalP'' ; and Feb. 22, 1644, 
the enemy quitted and burned Tong Castle."" 

During the last few days a silver pound piece, coined at the 
mint of Charles L at Shrewsbury, realised £"27. 

The original painting of Charles L belonged to the famous 
John Mytton, of Halston, Co. Salop, and appears to be a 
hitherto unknown portrait of the King, which does not seem 
to have been engraved, the print room of the British Museum 
affording only two of any similarity, one of which, very rare, 
is after Rubens, and the other, a French one, by Daret. 
" Monsieur Hymans, Curator of the National Gallery, 
Brussels, the great authority on all that relates to Rubens, 
writes that we know very little of the meetings between 
Rubens, Gerbier, Buckingham, and probably Charles when 
prince. It is not known that Charles ever was painted by 
Rubens. Rubens however accompanied him in Spain, when 
he went fruitlessly to woo the Infanta. 

Oh happy he, who with good address, 

KnDws how and when and where his suit to press 

Unto attainment of assured success ; 

Bat, oh ! unhappy lie. who not possessing 

The art of fluently his thoughts expressing. 

Addresses hiui in vain to his addressing. 

Unlike the happy coster or the rural swain, who, after a 
more successful errand — 

Now fitted the halter, now travers'd the cart, 
And often took leave, but seemed loth to depart ! 

ISABELLA FORSTER, LADY STAFFORD. I 
am unable to learn much about this lady, a member of a 
Tong family, branching from the ancient Shropshire family of 
Forester, Foster, or as it was often spelt Forster, for a not too 
diligent regard was paid to spelling two or three centuries ago. 

Isaliel married the young son of Edward, 2nd Baron 
Stafford, whose mother was heiress of the Duke of Clarence, 

*Hulbert'i Salop. 



176 The Beautiful Isabella, Lady Stafford. 

and thus direct legal heir to the crown. Edward was grand- 
son of Edward, the attainted Duke of Buckingham. Her 
father was Thomas Forster, of Tong, the younger of two 
brothers, the elder being Robert Forster, of Barton Green 
(who married Joan Mytton, of Weston), descended from John 
Forster, of Evelith. Her brother, Humphrey Forster, of 
Tong, occurs 1614. 

It seems that the attainted Duke's daughter, Elizabeth, 
married the Duke of Norfolk. Their son Henry was be- 
headed 1572. Flis son, Thomas, Duke of Norfolk, was 
beheaded the same year, and his son Philip died in the Tower, 
1595. His son, Thomas, Earl of Arundel,* died 1646, and 
his son William married Mary, the granddaughter of Isabel 
Forster, of Tong. 

Isabel's husband, Edward, was, as 3rd Baron Stafford, heir 
to the crown, but died in 1625, his son Edward having died 
before him, leaving a son, Isabel's grandson, Henry, 4th 
Baron Stafford, who died under age, in 1637, and a daughter 
Mary. 

She herself is variously described once as the " beautiful 
Isabella," and in another place, as of " prepossessing appear- 
ance." Doubtless the features were duly committed to 
cmvas, but like other portraits adorning the walls of many 
county houses, the identity has been unpreserved, and a 
lamentable loss arises : " Tis pity that in many galleries the 
names are not writt on or behind the pictures, though it could 
be done with very little trouble," says an old writer. 

The heir de juve of this Henry in the male line was — through 
an uncle of Isabel's husband, Richard, who was " very poor " 
— a cousin, Roger, born 1572, who died about 1640, leaving 
a sister, Jane, born 1581, described as a widow, living 1637. 
She married a joiner at Newport, Co. Salop, and left a son, a 

* This was the e;rp;it pntron of the Arts the Collector of the Arunde'' u Marbles, and 
portraits 01 him holding a baton over his yraiiJsoii aio at Wosto.i uiiJ Aru-dcL 



Roger Stafford of Newport. 177 

cobbler at Newport, 1637. King- Charles I. created William 
Howard and his wife Mary, baron and baroness StafTord, of 
Stafford Castle, " with such precedency as Henry, brother of 
Mary, did enjoy." This was an instance of the improper and 
undue Court influence of Thomas Howard, Earl of Arundel 
which was quite reprehensible. 

Roger claimed the honor that had become his by right of 
law, but "was unjustly denied the dignity on account of his 
poverty." Roger presented a petition to the king, who, how- 
ever, declared " his royal pleasure that Roger, having no part 
of the inheritance of the said Lord Stafford, nor any other 
lands or means whatever, shall make resignation of all claims 
and title to the said barony of Stafford, for his majesty to dis- 
pose of as he shall see fit." In obedience to the King's 
command poor Roger duly surrendered his claim by Deed 
enroled 7 Dec, 1639. In 1640 the lords in parliament were 
too regardant of their privileges to allow the " melancholy 
precedent " of the Lord Stafford to remain uncondemned, and 
they afterwards resolved to obviate so dangerous an example. f 

MARGARET and DOROTHY VERNON, daughters of Sir 
George Vernon, Lord of Tong, and King of the Peak, must 
not be omitted from mention again here among the Ladies 
of Tong, — though an account is given of them under Tomb 
19, page 71, — as the story of their lives is interwoven with 
the annals of their time. Mr. New's sketch of Margaret is 
taken from her effigy at Tong, and the portrait of Dorothy is 
sketched by Miss Bradley, from a painting in the Porter's 
Lodge at HadJon, by kind permission given to me by the Duke 
of Rutland. 

" Where are the high and stately dames 

"Of princely Vernon's bannerM hall, 
" And where the knights, and what their names, 

" Who. led them forth ta festival ? " 

"Arise ye'mighty dead arise ! 

"Can Vernon, Rutland, »t»nlev, sleep? 
".Whose gallant lieirts, and e igle eyes 
' " Disd lin'd a ike t j crouch or weep." 

t The lloicard J'aixrs, by H- K. S. Gauston, 1862. 





BOSCOBEL AND THE ROYAL OAK. 

AM loth to bring to a conclusion the History of 
Tong without mentioning some few particulars 
of historic Boscobel and its neighbouring 
Convents known as White Ladies and Black 
Ladies. 

Many have formed conclusions on the question of the 
identity of the Oak, based upon very fragile and chimerical 
data, and the sincere conviction that this tree, happily pro- 
tected from the ravages of enthusiasts, is one and the same 
tree which sheltered the royal and jovial, if unworthy, king, 
prompts me to commit to paper some notices and notes to 
quell the storms of detraction which gather round this and 
similar marks of antiquity. 

The King's wanderings in Tong and neighbourhood are re- 
lated by His Majesty himself, and his flight, and seclusion 
with the notoriety of the humble Penderells, born and bred at 
the house at Hubball in the parish of Tong, in the depths 
and secluded part of the Forest of Brewood, are ably related 
by Thomas Blount, a Catholic lawyer and sufferer in the 
royal cause, in which also he is said to have borne arms. His 
account runs thus : — 

The battle of Worcester* took place on Sept. 3rd, 1651. At one time so rssolute 
was the on>et of the Royalists, led by Charles II. iu person, that the Republicans 
at first gave way before them, abandoning a part of their cannon. " One hour of 
Montrose" at the head of the 3,000 horse, whom a few minutes might have 
brought to the charge, had perhaps retrieved the fortune of the day ; but Lesley, 
■who commanded this important force, induced either by treachery or distrust, 



* The writer has an interesting painting of this. 









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Black Ladies. 



The Penderells of Hubbal. 179 

kept tliem stationarj' in the rear, until the infantry, having expended thfir ammu- 
nition, and reduced to fight with the butt-ends of their muskets, gave way before 
th'^ reserve poured in by the Protector, and fell back into the city with the loss of 
their best leaders. The Republicans followed closely, and the King, iinding his 
entrance on horseback impossible, go'- into the City on foot ; and putting off h's 
heavy armour rode up and dowa the streets on a fresh horse, calling the officers 
and men by their names, and in vain urging Lesley and his cavalry to face the 
enemy for the first time. At six in the evening, Charles II., surveying 
the still unbroken appearance of Losley's horse, who had taken little or no share ia 
the struggle, faced about, and meditated a fresh charge to retrieve the fortune of 
the day. From this hazardous step he was soon dissuaded, as his infantry were 
nearly annihilated, and Lesley's horse had begun to show symptoms of mutiny and 
desertion. Nothing, therefore, now remained but the alternative of escape. 
Accordingly Charles rode off, accompanied by about 60 most tru.sty adherents, in. 
tending to reach Lord Derby's place of refuge at Boscobel House, whither Mr. 
Charles Giffard undertook to conduct them. At day-break next morning they 
reached White Ladies, a house belonging to the Giffard family, bringing the king's 
horse by way of precaution into the ha'l. Here news was brought to h m that 
Lesley's cavalry had rallied in full force on the heath near Tong Castle (i.e., 
between Tong Norton and Lizard Grange), and it was suggested to the King to 
join this force with the view of ensuring his retreat to Scotland. This advice 
Charles absolutely rejected indignant at their recent conduct, and " knowing," in 
his own words, "that men who had deserted him when they were in good order 
would never stand to him when they had been beaten " : ao opinion which the 
event fully justified. He was recommended by Mr. Giffard to the good offices of 
his retainers, Richard and William Penderell, whose fidelity Lord Derljy had 
already experienced. Being divested of his buff coat, his George, and other orna- 
ments, and disguised in a leathern doublet and woodman's suit belonging to tho.se 
honest yeomen, the king parted from his devoted band of followers. LInder the 
guidancs of the brothers Pend«rell, Charles quitted White Ladies by a back door, it 
being now broad day, and took refuge in a wood called Spring Coppice,* on the 
Boscobel demesne. The noblemen and gentlemen rode off with the intention 
of joining Lesley's horse on the northern road. In this attempt most were taken 
prisoners. The horse under Lesley, as inefficient in retreat as in battle, were 
shortly dispersed by a comparatively trifling force of republican cavalry. 
In the meantime the King enjoyed comparative security under the protection of 
the Penderel family. This loyal brotherhoad consisted of 6. George and Thomas 
the latter of whom fell at Edgehill, had served in the array of Charles I. At the 
time of the battle of Worcester the 5 survivors were living as tenants of the Giffard 
family, on the demesne of Boscobel and White Ladies, then annexed to the 
principal mansion of Chillington. William Penderel resided with his wife in 
Boscobel House; Richard with his mother at Hubbal Grange, now a little liome- 
stead, and where all the bi others were born; Humphrey at th« mill of White 
Ladies, and John and George in neighbouring cottages, occupying small portions 
of land in payment of their services as wooibnen. On Thursday night, when it 
grew dark, his Majesty resolved to go from those parts into Wale.s, and to take 
Richard Peuder<-ll witli liim for his guide ; but before they began their journey his 
Majesty went into Richard's hou.se at Hubbal Grange, where the old good-wife 
Penderell had not onely the honour to see his Majesty, but to see bim attended by 
her sou Richard. Here his Majesty had time aud means better to complete his 



i8o Charles II. 's Journey with Trusty Dick. 

disg^iis'e. His name was agreed to be " Will Jones." and his arms a wood-Tall. 
In tliis posture, about 9 o'clo k at night (alter some refreshment taken in the 
house), his Majesty, with his trusty servant Richard, began their journey on foot. 
At Evelith Mill, near Shifnal, they met with an ill-tavoured encounter. The 
miller had been protecting in his mill some loyal soldiers, and " Trusty Dick," un- 
happily allowing a gate to clap, caused the miller to be alarmed, and the fugitive 
and his guide, thinking themselves pursued, hurried away by an unusual route, 
and waded through a brook, causing the king some discomfort, and here he would 
have lost his guide that dark night but for the rustling of Dick's calveskin breeches. 
They arrived at Madeley about mii'night, but the Severn was so guarded as to 
make a \ assage of it impossible. After spending a night in a barn, an'l a day in a 
hay mow, the king and his guide determined to return to Boscobel, the kirg 
previously discolouring his hands with walnut leaves. They started on the return 
journey about 11 o'clock that night, and arrived at Boscobel about three in the 
morning, the king remaining in the wood. Here Richard found Colonel Carlis,* 
and William and Richard subsequently assisted the'King and the Colonel to get 
lip into a thick-leaved oak, the famous Royal Oak of Boscobel. 

That night the King spent in Boscobel house, in the secret place where Lord 
Derby had been secured. And here Wm. Penderell shaved him, and cut his hxir, 
leayirg some about the ears, according to the country mode. Humphrey Pendtril 
weut tbis day (Saturday) to Shefnal to pay some taxes, where a colonel of the 
rebels offered him £1000 for discovering the King, and threatened him with deith 
for conceijlmeiit. Humphrey, however, pleaded isnc ranee, and returned to 
Boscobel, and related his adventure. Sunday the King get uptarly (his doimitory 
being none of the bet-t, nor his bed the easiestt), and having spent some time in 
devotions, surveyed from a window the road from Tong to Brewocd. In the 
arbour on a mount he spfnt some time in reading on Sunday. Mr. Huddleston, 
the Catholic priest, now did some good .'ervice ; and arranged that the King should 
go to Mo^elwy, oi route for Bentley.J The Kirg being very foot-^ole, it was 
arranged that he should ride upon Hnmphrey'.s mill-1 orse (fi r Humphrey was the 
miller of White Ladies mill). The liors^ was taken up from grass, and accoutred 
with a pitifid old saddle, and a worse bridle, " thw heaviest dull jade he ever rode 
on," as the king remarked, to which Humphrey rejoined, " My liege can >oir blame 
the horse to go heavily, when he has the weight of three kingdoms on his b'ck?" 

This scene, sketched by Miss Bradley, where the King, 
accompanied by the five Penderell brothers, sets out for 
Moseley, is represented in the picture on the black marble 
chimney-piece at Boscobel house ; being an accurate copy of 
Blount's print in the Bodleian library. 

*A luime still retained by the plantation at Toug Hill. 

» A family seated at Alb'rightoii temp Rich. ii. H.F.J.V. says. 

f A hale or hiding- place in the floor, where the King squeezed himself in, and some very 
precipitous steps remain, all of which have been duly tried by H.R.H. the Duchess of Teck 
and many royal and noble personages with much amusement. 

+ Mr. Hodleston was tutor to Sir John Preston (a young man\ a guest at Moseley, under 
the assumed name of Jack^nn, to protect him from the Puritans, who had sequestered his 
father's property ; and Mr. Whitgroave had taken the opportunity of placing his two nephews, 
Palyu and Reynolds under Father llodleston's care. It was on Mond.iy, Sept. 8, that Father 
Hoillistoii, under pretence of personal apprehension as a Catholic priest, set his pupils, P:ilyn, 
Re\ nulds, and Sir John, to watch from the garret window of Moseley the approach of any 
rebel parties. 



Charles II. 's Jourxey. i8i 

The gigantic figure immediately behind the King is meant 
for Wilham, whom Hodleston describes as so tall a man 
that his breeches hung below the knees of Charles, himself a 
person above the middle size. 

The King arrived at Bentley, where, availing himself of a 
pass to the west, that Mistress Jane Lane had obtained for 
herself and man, he performed the part of page, and rode 
before her, in which journey Mistress Lane acted as a most 
faithful and prudent servant to his Majesty, shewing her 
observance when opportunity would allow it, and at other 
times acting her part in the disguise with much discretion. 
The King's narrative says: — "Memorandum, that one Mr. 
Lassell's, a cousin of Mrs. Lane's, went all the way with us 
from Colonel Lane's on horseback, single, I riding before Mrs. 
Lane." Thencethe King proceeded to Stratford, LongMarston, 
Cirencester, and Bristol, and eventually to Brightelmstone, 
whence he sailed to France. 

The Watch, given by Charles II. to Jane Lane, was ex- 
hibited at the Stuart Exhibition recently. She became Lady 
Fisher, and died in i68g. A pretty picture of her is in the 
Staffordshire Archaeological Collection ; as also one of 
Charles II. as a youth. 

The day after he left Boscobel the rebels called and made 
diligent search for him there in vain. 

The name of Trusty Dick is said to have arisen from a 
dialogue (related by Mrs. Penderel, a maiden descended in a 
direct line from Richard Penderel), which took place between 
him and his wife, in the silence of the night, and overheard by 
the King when at Hubbal Grange. The dame passionately 
reproved her husband for the danger he had incurred for 
himself and family by concealing Charles, held out to him the 
certainty of the splendid reward offered for his apprehension, 
and conjured him to seize the golden opportunity, hinting her 



r82 Charles II. 's Journey. 

readiness to be herself the informer. Her husband replied 
with much indignation, assuring her that no money should 
bribe him to desert his sovereign, and charging her, in good 
set terms, as she valued his future affection, to be secret and 
faithful to the trust imposed upon them. Next morning the 
King acquainted Richard with his having overheard the con- 
versation, and ever after distinguished him by the name of 
Trusty Dick. After King Charles' restoration the brothers 
Penderel were received at Court, and had substantial pensions 
for their fidelity. Penderell rents are still paid by Lord Brad- 
ford, Mr. Giffard, and others, to the descendants of this loyal 
family. 

The Penderell, who lived at Weston in the cave there, 
hewn out of the sandstone rock, was probably an idle relation 
(perhaps a brother) of the loyal band. 

It was King Charles II. who advanced Viscount Newport, 
of the Newport family, to the Earldom of Bradford. 

In person, Charles II. was tall and well proportioned, his 
complexion swarthy, his features singularly austere and for- 
bidding. The disposition of his mind presented an extra- 
ordinary contrast to the harsh lines traced on his countenance. 
*' Whatever might have been his failings (and they were too 
glaring to escape observation), few monarchs were more 
beloved by the people. During his reign, arts improved, 
trade met with encouragement, and the wealth and comforts of 
the people increased. He entered London 29th May, 1669, 
his birthday, amidst the most universal and extraordinary 
demonstrations of joy." 

Oak-ball day, or oak-apple day, is named from this circum- 
stance, and the school-boys' local rhyme is never forgotten : — 

Oak-ball day, 
The twenty-ninth of May, 
II you don't give us a holiday 
We'll all run away! 



The Royal Oak. 183 

A poet, Thomas Shipman, more gracefully alludes to the 
subject : — 

Let celebrated wits with laurels crown'd. 
And wreaths of bays, boast their triumphant brows. 

I will esteem myself far more renown'd 
In being honoured with tliese oaken boughs. 

Charles II. issued a proclamation dated at Tong Norton, 
2oth August, 1 65 1. 

The portrait of Charles II., which is given here, is a con- 
temporary painting in the possession of the writer, and " much 
resembling Sir Peter Lely's, picture of the King at Bridewell 
Hall, and may be by an equally able artist of the time, such 
as Riley." 

MEASUREMENTS OF THE ROYAL OAK. 



188L 


Girth 1 foot from ground 


14 feet 1 inch. 


Nov. 11th 


„ 4 


„ „ 


12 „ 


2 „ 




>. 5 „ 


» « 


11 „ 


6 „ 




» 10 


„ „ 


11 ■> 


„ 




Length of trunk 


or butt,121 feet. 




188S. 


trirth 1 foot from ground 14 feet 1 inch. 


Dee. 


,. < •> 


i> » 


12 „ 


2 „ 




., B 


t» »» 


11 „ 


6 ., 




,, 10 


„ „ 


11 ,, 


„ 


1885. 


Girth 1 „ 


„ „ 


14 „ 


1 ., 


Jan. 21st. 


„ s 


<> » 


13 „ 


2 « 




,. 5 ,1 


» i> 


11 „ 


7 „ 


1886. 


Girth 1 „ 


„ „ 


14 „ 


1 .. 


July 24th. 


M 4 „ 


>» 1. 


12 „ 


3 „ 




,. 5 


„ „ 


11 „ 


7 ,. 




» 10 


„ „ 


11 „ 


„ 


1889. 


GirtQ 1 „ 


.. .. 


14 „ 


1§.. 


May J. 


,. 8 


„ „ 


13 '„ 


. 2 „ 




.. 5 


„ „ 


u ., 


7 „ 



It is from data, such as appeared in an article in a local 
paper in January, 1890, that wrong impressions are formed. 
Some of the reports upon the Royal Oak (of which I have a 
collection) bristle with inaccuracies and contradictions, and 
these arise from the writers not having verified their state- 
ments, but having written from " hearsay," I have no doubt. 

Preferring as I do to rely upon the well-weighed opinions of 
those who Uve in the neighbourhood, and who make trees a 



184 The Royal Oak. 

study of their lives, and form their conclusions from frequent 
observations at various seasons of the year, rather than on the 
hastily-conceived ideas of hurrying tourists who devote half- 
an-hour to the inspection of a celebrated tree, I unhesitatingly 
advise my readers that this tree cannot be a sapling of the 
Royal Oak. 

It is a tree of no mean dimensions, as the above measure- 
ments shew^, and has indications of numerous branches having 
been lopped off its sides. It is decaying in the butt, though 
so vigorous and fair to view ; but a large sheet of lead hides 
the hole in the trunk. 

Partly from the Rev. H. G. de Bunsen's little History of 
Boscobel, and partly viva voce^ we get the Earl of Bradford's 
accoimt, 1878, as related to him by his father, which is gener- 
ally thus : — 

" The trees and underwood were in full leaf in September, when the King )iid in tho Oak, 
not decayed, but a growing tree. It became well known to Mr. Giffard, the owner, and other 
loyalists. After the restoration (nine years after) numbers visited it. Tlie idea of its being 
a substitute, least of all an acorn from the tree, his lordship discards as ludicrous and 
absurd. Known it himself half a century. Looks same n>w as then. His father spo-ke of 
the absurd stories nf the owl, the acorn, &c. He used to say his fath.er and grandfather 
spoke in the same sense, which would carry him back to 1740, less than 9U ye irs after the 
King sat in it. Trees in the park at Weston estimated at 1,10() or 1,200 years old ; others at 
600, 500, and 400 ; Bometimes a smaller tree ia considerably older than a larger one> 
Estimates it at 400 or 450 now, ».<•., 220 then. His father, the late Earl, spoke of hearing 
from those who want before him, the labouring men had pointed oat the tree from father 
to son as rhf Boyal Oak." 

Mr. J. S. Hooker, who has care of the National Gardens at 
Kew, writing on this subject, says he is of opinion that the 
maximum age of oaks may be between 800 and 1,000 years, 
and he judges by the rapid growth of trees of known age, and. 
from the fact that the insects and fungus ravages on old oak 

w^ood are so multifarious and great He is 

astonished to see the size to which trees have attained, which. 
he himself planted at Kew since 1865. 

At the Edinburgh Forestry Exhibition, about g years ago, 
much interest was shewn in sections of two Scotch firSj one 




The Royal Oak. 




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XHE 




OAK 



FPYAL 

BOSC- 
OBEL- 



The TRKt is fkum a Photograph in 1879. 



The Royal Oak. 185 

23 feet in circumference, distinctly vouching its own age to be 
217 years; the other, a lesser tree, 18 feet in circumference, 
shewing a clear record of year-circles to the number of 270. 
The site of both was known, as well as the dates of the felling 
of one, and the blowing down of the other. 

The above measurements of the Royal Oak have been 
taken by Mr. James Craig, the Earl of Bradford's head 
forester, whose careful study of this and other trees for many 
years firmly convinces him that this is no two-century 
" sapling " as some suggest. He further says that Mr. H. S. 
Cumming's Paper on the Royal Oak, read before the British 
Association, is written in a sensational and romancing spirit ; 
and any relics that it mentions might all have been made out 
of the many boughs and limbs that have been taken from the 
tree. Mr. Craig points out some errors made by Mr. Collins, 
forester, of Trentham, and says the girth of the tree round the 
surface of the ground is only 15ft. 7in. (instead of i6ft. 3in., 
as Mr. Collins says), and the girth at 5ft. from the ground 
lift. 7in. This is a little more than it used to measure, 
because the sheet of lead has been fastened on lately, and 
bulges out more than it used to do. Also the tree shows scars 
all up the stem, where branches have been cut off from time 
to time ; and records bear testimony to this fact, that at one 
period of its existence it would have been difficult to find a 
tree in the Forest with more leafy surface. The heart is 
quite rotten at that large hole in the stem that is covered over 
with a sheet of lead about 3ft. by 2ft. 

Mr. James Hope, head gardener at Weston for 35 years, 
writes me : I do not think the Oak at Boscobel a sapling. I 
have no doubt but it was a good sized tree when the King 
was there, and quite large enough to hide anyone, with the 
foliage on. 

Y 



i86 The Royal Oak. 

It shews marks on the bark of the trunk, where low 
branches have been removed. It may easily have been a 
pollarded tree, and from the accompanying reproductions of 
photographs anyone will perceive that conclusions, quite at 
variance, may be arrived at respecting it. 

Mr. Barnett's dimensions of the Royal Oak, taken in 
presence of l\Ir. Brooke and Mr. Botfield in 1857 : — Girth 
just " above the ground " (too indefinite to rely on), 15ft. ; at 
4 feet above the ground, 11 ft. 4in. This must have included 
the large piece of lead shewn in one of the views where the 
trunk is rotten in the side, hence the discrepancy with the 
recent measure. 

Charles II. (in Pepys' Diary) said : — 

"A great oak in a pretty plain place, that had been lopt soiue three or four years before, 
and, being grown out again very bushy and thick, could not be seen through." 

The tree readily accords with the King's description in The 
History of His Sacred Majesty's Preservation (1809), " Boscobel " 
pt. I. " Where the Colonel made choice of a thick-leav'd 
oak." 

Blount in his Boscobel, published in 1660, says : — 

"Hundreds of people have flock'd to see tlie famous Boscobel . . . but chiefly to behold 
the Royal Oake, wliich has been deprived of all its young boughsfby the numerous visiters of 
it, who keep them in memory of His Majesty's happy preservation ; insomuch tliat Mr. Fitz- 
herbert has been forced in due season of the year to crop part of it for its preservation, and 
has lately been at the charge to fence it about with a high pale." 

The Rev. Geo. Plaxton, vicar of Sheriffhales, 1673, rector 
of Donnington, 1690-1703, says in a paper of 1707 : — 

" I had nothing very remarkable at Donington, save the Koyal Oak at Boscobel. The Royal 
oak was afair spread thriving tree. Theboughsof it were all lined and covered with ivy. Here 
in the thick of these boughs the King sate . . . they arc strangely.'mistaken who judged it 
an old hollow oak, whereas it was a gay and flourishing tree, surrounded with a great many 
more." 

This is a very natural description. It would have been mad 
folly to choose a large tree standing alone, or one that would 
call attention to itself. 

t Probably the lower boughs ea.sily reached, which have evidently been cut off, as the bark 
shows now. 




(page S3)- 




WILLIAM PENDERELL 

(fiage iy<)). 




Sir Kenelm digby 

(page J73). 




ROYAL 0AK:THEBRICK WALL, 

(page iS'r). 



I 



The Royal Oak. 187 

Mr. Plaxton further says : — 

" The peor remains of the Royal Oak are now fenced in by a Imndaome brick watl . . . 
put up 20 or 30 j-ears ago by Basil and Jane Kitzlierbert." 

The view of this in the Geiitlemaii's Magazine shews the tree 
much as at present, and the brick wall surrounding it. 

Evelyn (born 1620, died 1706) ^^ Silva," published 1729, 
edition reprint of 17 14, speaks of remarkable oaks, bearing 
strange leaves, &c. : — 

" Tue people never left hacking the boughs and bark till they' kill'd the tree [in New 
Forest] ; as I am told they have serv'd that famous oak near White Lady's." 

Mr. Thos. Arnold, who transcribed it, remarks this sentence 
was not in the edition of 1679, being an insertion of later 
editions. The first edition was 1664. This " as I am told," 
is only hearsay evidence, and not reliable, as he was writing 
without local knowledcfe. 



Dr. Charlett, writing in 1702 to Pcpys :- 



" The trunk of the Royal Oak is now enclosed within a| round wall, with'an insoriptioa 
having no date." 

Dr. Stukeley, in a letter, Dec. 1713 : — 

" A. bow shot from the house, just by a horse track passing through the wood, stood the Royal 
Oak. The tree is now enclosed within a brick wall, the in.side whereof is covered with laurel 
. . the oak is in the middle, almost cut away by travellers, whose curiosity leads theui 
to see it. Close by the side grows a young tliriving plant from one of its acorns." 

This gentleman relates the story of the owl as they related 
to us, which formed valuable material for Ainsworth's Novel ; 
but is a pretty fiction, finding no basis in fact. He does not 
say that he saw the tree himself, and Mr. Dale wrote^ not 
many years after, that " it is going to decay." 

Mr. Charles Dunster, M.A., writes, in a work dedicated 
1791, whether from hearsay or not he does not say. It does, 
not appear that he had seen the place : — 

" The old tree in which the King was hid was sooa after cut dowu and carried o.fr. bis* «ass 
is still showed as the Royal Oak, having been raised (it is said) from auacoruof tkcoliltree. 
The preseut tree is a laigi one, and appeals to be about four score years old. TIjb bark and 
ades are taucli toru oiid cut by the curiosity oi its Tisit«)ir&.'* 



i88 Royal and Local Oaks. 

The Rev. J. Dale, 1845 : — 

"Tlie site of present tree accords with tliat on which the old tree is represented in the 
enrraving [Blount's Boscobel] to liave stood. Old persons Iwd indistinct recollections that 
present tree did not stand in centre of the plot enclosed by a wall earlier than Miss Evans', 
but nearer to an angle of it." 

Plaxton makes no mention of the sapHng or successor ; but 
his description accords with the King's. 

Mr, Dale gives opinions to Mr. Botfield and Mr. Brooke, 
later, against the identity : (saying 50 years ago he was told it 
had been rooted up, writing in 1857) : this is " The Bishton 
Legend!" He also, writing in 1845, said, "The present 
Royal Oak is now rapidly going to decay," and attributes it in 
some part to the removal of the wall, and consequent ex- 
posure to storms, &c. 

Mr. Dale also said it was a shy bearer, not bringing acorns 
to perfection oftener than once in 8 or 10 years. 

Mr. Stubbs, old gardener at Boscobel, again refutes this in 
1878, saying it only failed to bear acorns once in 10 years, and 
that was last year, 1877. 

Rev. J. Dale, curate of Donington, found the broken stone 
(blue gold letters) broken, and a new inscription "restored by 
Basil and Eliza Fitzherbert about 33 years ago, i.e., 7812." 
Mr. Evans soon after bought Boscobel. 

The brick wall and the brass inscription were removed in 
1817, when iron pallisades were put at Miss Frances Evans' 
cost. 

The Rev. H. G. de Bunsen notes in 1878 : — 

"Mr. Dale's anticipations have not been realized ! The Oak still looks like a fluarishing 
tree, and has no appearance of decay about it at the present time." 

There are two inaccuracies in the article of January, 1890, 
before referred to. First, there is the trifling error of 10 feet 
in the height of the tree (57 should be 67ft.) ; secondly, the 
soil in which it grows, Mr. Brown, who occupies the land, 
says is certainly not marl, as stated therein. 



Famous Trees. 189 

Mr. Ralph said in a paper, re Boscobel, that the King's 
account and Lord Clarendon's account are inaccurate, quoting 
Stukeley's as correct, who gave the account "as they related 
to us." Mr. Ralph says it is not a pollard tree ! also that 
there are no records of White Ladies ! 

The following are Mr. Craig's measurements of large local 
trees, which may interest arboriculturists : — • 

Girth Girth Date 

at 1 (t. at 4 ft. Measured. RemnrkB. 

ft. in. ft. in. 

The larger Oak of 2 at Aqualate 28 6 .. 25 7 .. Oct. 1883 

Great Oak In Weston Park 31 2 . . 22 9 . . Nov. 1884 

Large Oak near Weston Hall Stables 27 . . 26 6 . . „ . . including ivy 

Oriental Plane on Weston Hall Lawn 27 3 . . 19 2 . . „ 

Lime (N) near Pendrills Cave J3 6 .. 18 7 .. „ 

Lime(S) „ , 23 10 .. 17 6 .. „ 

Oak in Forge Croft 22 4 . . 20 . . „ 

Oak near Black Fir Clump 25 .. 20 1 .. 

Wellingtonia near Temple 11 .. .. ..Height 47ft. 6tn. 

"Weston and its glorious Oaks" are mentioned in Lady 
John Manners' (now Duchess of Rutland's) Life of Lord 
Beaconsfield, as one of the places where that great statesman 
enjoyed a quiet retreat from the bustle of political life. 

White Oak (see page 139) 18 2 .. 14 1 .. Nov. 1884 .. 

Brewer's Oak, at Crackley Bank 

(named from a suicide, Brewer)... 14 2 .. 13 4 
Pine, in front of Tong Castle 16 6 .. 13 6 ..» 

•Girth at 3 ft. Height 97 feet. 

Alder at Woodlands 21 9 . . 17 7 . . 

Oak at Brockhurst 24 .. 24 3 

(hole inside, 5ft. Sin. by 4ft.) 

The following are dimensions of an oak, felled in iS8i, in 
Lady Wicket field, on Weston Estate, half-a-mile from 
Boscobel, but within the area of the same old forest of 
Brewood, taken Nov. ii, 1881 : — Girth at ift. from ground, 
14ft. gin. ; at 4ft., lift. Sin. ; length of trunk, 22ft. This tree 
had 215 concentric rings, and its dead tops or stag-horns were 
cut off about 30 years ago, evidenced by woodmen now living, 
and bore the marks of having been so dealt with. The age of 
this tree, allowing for the time between which it ceased to 



igo Famous Trees. 

form wood, and commenced to shew signs of decay, would 
bring its age to 300 years at least, and probably nearer 400. 
And this tree threw out considerable foliage. 

The following sizes are from Sylva Britannica, 1822 : — 

Swilcar Oak, in Needw >nd Fore^c, is known by historical documents to be 600 
years old— girth at 6ft., 21ft. 4.^in. 

The Beggar's Oak in Bagot's Park— at 5ft., 20fi. girth. 
Gr^at Oak of Pansbanger, Earl Cowper's, is 19ft. girtli at 3ft. 
At Tutbury, tbe Wyca Elm or Wychbazel, lormeriy used for the longbow, is 
16ft. 9in. ai 5fc. 

In this once favor'd walk beneatli tliese elms, 
Oft ill instructive converse we beguilM 
The fervid time, whicli each returning year. 
To friendship's call devoted. Such things were : 
But are alas ! no more, 

S. Dimelm. 

The Yew at Ankerwyke is supposed to be 1000 years old. 
" The Eugh obedient to the bender's will." 

Spenser. 
It was formarly much u-ed in Queen Elizabeth's time for hedges, when it was 
enjoined t ) b^ planted in all Churchyards partly to ensure its cultivation, partly 
to secure its leaves and seed frjm doing injury to cattle, and pdrlly its uucf.anging 
colour madd it a. fit emblem of immortality, and its dark green gave the solemnity 
of the grave. 

Of Asb, " the Venus of the Forest," nt Woburn, is .1 great Ash, 15ft. .Sin. at 3ft. 
from g.-o'ind. 

The B ack Poplar (held sacred to Hercules), at Bury St. Edmunds, is 15ft. girth 
at Sfc. 

The Torfcworth Chestnut is the oldest in England : and the Plane at Lee Court i» 
14ft. Sin. at 6 feet. 

The contributions of zealous opponents of the Royal Oak's 
identity as the king's refuge are marked by many contradic- 
tions and prejudiced views. 

It will be as well here to mention the comparisons quoted 
by Jarco (see Bygones, May, 1877) of certain trees in a timber 
merchant's yard, which happened to be of the same size, and 
from which he concluded that the present oak is no years old, 
or perhaps 150 ! 

Among papers sent me by Lady Evans in 1888, reference is 
made to the M.S. in Mr. Thomas Whitgreave's handwriting 
on six separate sheets ; and marked with genuine features of 



The Royal Oak. igr 

the facetious monarch. She also sent other remarks of 
" Philarchus " and " Observator." Philarchus wrote, in 1789, 
to the Gentleman's Magazine, viz. : that a maid servant pointed 
out the field where the tree once was, and says there stood the 
tree, which is now gone, and was a lone and pollarded tree, 
and other notes upon the House, &c. Observator, writing in 
1790, June 12, says " descriptions should be just and accurate, 
and conjecture only permitted where facts cannot be ascer- 
tained. How can we excuse the negligence and impropriety 
of your correspondent Philarchus, a person who pretends to 
write from personal observation, who has given such a loose 
and erroneous account .... which is highly reprehen- 
sible." " The object of your miscellany ought 

to be the recording matters of fact, not the repository for 
groundless and ridiculous conjecture " ; and he points out 
other numerous errors of Philarchus. 

An inscription (embodying the older ones of 1677 and 1787) 
prepared by Rev. R. P. Thursfield, and affixed to the tree by 
the Rev. Joseph Dale, 29th May, 1845, bore in Latin words, 
after reciting the previous inscription one thus rendered " The 
present oak spnmg, it is said, from the above-named tree, Frances 
Evans .... has fenced in with the present iron railing, 
1817. 

This brass plate was removed soon after, and the words in 
italics were altered into " Hanc Arborem " (this tree), she 
being persuaded that the present tree is the identical tree 
which had sheltered the King. 

There was also an English inscription placed there by her 
desire. 

The Misses Evans, who owned Boscobel, had another 
house at AUestree, near Derby. On the survivor's decease 
Boscobel passed to Mr. T. W. Evans, who was afterwards 
created a baronet, but dying without issue the estate passed 
to the Rev. E. Carr, the present owner.' 



ig2 Primeval Oaks, &c. 

It is a matter for public congratulation that the Evans 
Family and their successor, the Rev. Canon Carr, so kindly 
allow this historic spot to be viewed by the public daily 
(Sundays excepted), a privilege which H.R.H. the Duchess of 
Teck, the Duchess of York, and many noble personages, in- 
cluding M. de Waddington, a descendant of the Pendrills, 
gladly availed themselves of. The Visitors' Books, under the 
care of Miss Brown, are a delightful record of loyalty and 
autography. 

Of single trees, relics of primeval forests, which have been 
preserved to our own times, Mr. Beriah Botfield mentioned : — 

"Christ's Oak once at Cressage, a name recalling tbe period when Christian 
Missionaries firpt taught the Gospel to heathen Saxons under the tree." 

"The Lady Oak, which still exists tt the same place, was clearly so called in 
honour of the Virgin." 

" Ths ancient and gigantic Lime which adorns the precincts of Pitchford Hall." 
" Owen Glendwyr's Oak (the Shelton Oak) whence that chieftain is said to have 
witnessed the Battle of Shrewsbury, 1403, ctill standing nt-ar Shrewsbury. This 
was described as a "great tree" in 1540. Though now hollow and decayed, it 
girths upwards of 44 ft., and has some branches still fresh and vigorous."* It is 
mentioned by Shakespeare — 

" How the grette oake at Shelton standeth on my grounde." 

When so eminent an authority as Mr. Botfield describes 
these trees as relics of primeval forests, how easily may less 
experienced people be mistaken in their views of the age of 
trees at the present day. 

The Lapley Oak was mentioned by Plot in i686 : — 

" Thus out of a great Oak, that grew at Lapley. of about 6 Tunas of Timber [about 240 
feet], brought to Elmhurst for the new building the house, there was a great Toad sawn 
forth of the middle of the tree iu a place which, when growing, wa» 12 or 14 foot from the 
ground, the tree being sound and intire in all parts quit round, saving just where the Toad 
lay, it was black and corrupted and crumbled away like sawdust. "+ 

Mrs. Baldwyn Childe says that at Kyre Park are some 
enormous oaks, no doubt planted in Norman times, for the 
licence to plant them is dated 1275. 

* Address at Shrewsbury, 1860. f Plot's Staffordshire, 1686. 



Philosophical Summary. 



193 



In conclusion, let me quote some lines of Proverbial 
Philosophy, written by a negro, who, rather bold and severely, 
sums up in a comical manner his lessons of a lifetime : — 

Dar's a heap o' dreadful music in de very finest fiddle : 
A ripe and mellow apple may be rotten iu de middle ; 
Dar's a lot of solid kicking in de humblest kind o' mule : 

De wisest-looking trabeller may be de biggest f ; 

De preacher ain"t de holiest dat wears de meekest look. 
And doesde loudest banging ou de kiver o' de book. 

All lovers of historical treasures are wary of historical 
fiction, and I advise them to defer still longer from arraying 
themselves on the side of those who declare for the imposture 
of a Royal historical tree. 




WHITE LADIES. 



Not far from tbi? Town [T mg) and Ca.4k i* Wliitla'lyss, the seat of Mr, 
OilT>rd and Bosoohel so famom for the Oak. — Cox's Mcvjna Britinnia, 1720. 



HE Convent of White Ladies was so-called from the 
hi^bit of that colour worn by the Cistercian Nuns, 
who Qccupied it, It is supposed to have been 
founded or established in the reign of King 
Richard I. or Kin^ Jo^^'^ possibly by Herbert Walter, Arch- 
bishop of Canterbury, about H95 ; but J. C, Anderson, in his 
Jiisto.nj of Shro,p shire, says that Mr. Eyton finds that Ema 
(Je Pulverb^tch navin;,' granted a virgate in Beobridge to these 
White Nuns earner th^n 1186, granted the remainder in 1186 
to Haughmond Abbey, so he concludes that the founda- 
tion rnay he as early as 1185. AU antiquarians are 
silent upon it, and " no Ch^rtnlary or even a legend exists to 
throw a liglit upon its origin," says J. C. Anderson in his 
History of Shropshire. Dedicated to vSt. Leonard, it was a 
house parochially a,nd manoriaUy independent, whose pro- 
perty was. acquired by gradual instalments, each representing 
th© consignment of same female member of a wealthy or 
powerful fia,mily to the service of religion ; these, in time, came 
to be represented by a large aggregate, and in i53,6> the Prioress 
returned the gross annual value of this Convent, derivaMe 
J[irom demesne lands at White Ladies, and from various rents 
\T\ I^otts, Staffordshire, and Salop, at £-^i is. 4d, 

Leland says in his Itinerary: — '^ Byrwaode, a Priory of 
WhitQ; Nun.nes^ lately suppressid, in the very Ma.rche of 



Bishop's Wood. 195 

Shropshire toward Darbyshire."'* It was within the Forest 
of Brewoocl, whose boundaries described by Mr, Botfield, 
were : Weston and bishop's Wood on the North, Brevvood 
and Chillington on the East, and Albrighton, Donington, and 
Tong on the South and West 

The Bishop's Wood, reference to which has already beerl 
made on pages 10, 139, and 140, as also to W^iite Ladies 
pages 12 and 139, was granted by Henry II. in 1153, ta 
the Bishop of Lichfield. 

Bishop's Wood was in Brewde, in Domesday- Brewood 
belonged exclusively to the Bishop of Chester, i.e.f Coventry 
and Lichfield styled Chester, in iith and 121th centuries ; the 
White Nuns being called of Brewood because they were irt 
Brewood Forest. So far from the two Convents cortstitutirig" 
one foundation they had nothing to connect but their propin- 
quity and nothing in common but the spirit of rivalry which 
was mutual, iMr. Eyton says. 

In 1200, the Bishop was to enclose from the forest, a park 
in his wood of Brewude, which was to be two leagues Irl 
circumference, Weston being the forest's fiorthern boundary. 

In 1204, the King has altogether disaflforested his forest oi 
Brewude, and the men who dwelt therein for ever. 

In 1206, the King gives the Bishop license to make a decoy 
saltatorium in his park of Brewde. A sanatorium is a deef- 
leap, so constructed that the deer could jump over the park 
pales from the forest into the Bishop's Park, but not back 
again. There was one near Sbifnal, not far from the 
Manor-house of the King's Forester of Wellington Forest. 

In 1209, Hamo de Weston and John Bago-t were irtdicted 
for receivings marksmen and hounds at Blymhill and WestcWI, 
but the result was not given, as the illicit objects wefe' tftJ* 
decipherable- 

* Efroi iut St*Soru»hJ)PO. 



iq6 The White Nuns and Prioresses. 

1315. Hugh de Beaumes, wishing- to benefit this Convent, 
inquired for the King's permission to grant 30 acres in Donyn- 
ton to the Prioress. The Jurors sat at Donynton, and held 
that the grant would be harmless. The same Hugh grants 
a messuage in Shakerlew, which John atte Syche^'' helc to 
John, his brother, and wood for fire and fence and common 
right for own stock, and 240 sheep of other people. 

Undertenants of the Nuns were at Neachley, Shackerley 
and Kilsall. 

In 1212, King John granted to the White Nuns — he may have 
been at Brewoodat the time, a Weir called " Withlakeswere '• 
in River Severn, near Bridgnorth ; and in 1225, Alditha 
Prioress, and her Convent of Brewe, and Cecilia, another 
Prioress, each granted half the rent of the Weir to Henry of 
Brug. 

By Inquisition, 1255, the Nuns of Brewood are in receipt 
of 6/8 rent in Brug, and a few years later of other income in 
that Borough ; Agnes was Prioress about then. 

In ia88, the Prioress had right of Common Pasture in 
Rugge. 

In 1292, Sarra, Prioress, complained that she had not 
enough of pasture, and defeated William de Rugge, in a suit. 

12S6. In the Pleas of Cannock Forest, the Staffordshire 
Archceological Society's Transactions, Vol. V., page 163, expublic 
records occurs : — 

It wa.^ presented that when the huntsmen of the King were hunting in the 
bailiwicke of Gauel'-ye 4 E. I., they put up a stag with their dogs, and followed it 
as far as the Park at Brewode into a wood there, and John dela Wytemore came 
up with a bow and arrow and shot at it, and it fled out of the forest as far as the 
fi<h pind of the Nuns of Brewode, and the said John folio ved it aud dragged it 
out dead from the said fish pond (vivarium) ; and Jo'm Giffard, of Chyl'yngton 
cime up and stated he had pursued the stag, ana claimed the whole of it; and 
they skinned it aod the said John took half of it and carried it to his house, and 



White Sitch in Weston. 






The Bishop's Deer-Leap. 197 

the Nuns of Brewode had the other half. As they are poor they are pardoned for 
the good of the King's soul, ami although the said stag was taken outside the forest, 
yet it wa^ the chusia of the King, and put up Wy his digs within the forest, and 
taken in front of them against tie assize. The Sheriff is ordered, therefore, to 
arrest the said John and John, who being convicted of the above were committed 
to prison. John de la Wytemore was fiued 1 mark, and John de Chilintou 
(sic) 20s. 

And the same Bishop [Roger] has a saltatorium [deer leap] against the forest, in 
his part of Brewode whicli adjoins the boundaries of tlie forest, to the injury of the 
said forest. It is not known by what warrant. He, being infirm and weak, 
appeared by his attorney, Robert de Pype, at Lichfield. Said he was not bound to 
answer except by the King's writ, nor without his pei-rs, the Barons of England, 
said he found his chnrch in seisin of the woods with power of taking venison. &e. 
The Bishop commauded to appear before the King at the Parliament. Nothing 
was done, but later the forest was taken into the King's hands, the Bishop sliowin;? 
no warrant. Bishop subsequently took proceedings to recover, and produced 
charters, aad showed his predecessors had been accustomfdto hunt and take in the 
woods at will, beasts which came from the forest of the King. 

After further proceedings, Bishop came before King at Westminster, 18 Ed. I. , 
and gave nj) all his woods, etc., in Cannock Forest, and the King of his special 
favour conceded and granted again to the Bishop the same woods, to hnld in free 
and perpetual alms as his free chase for ever, and so that it may be lawful for him 
to inoiose his woods and make parks in them at his will, sc long as he and his 
successors made in them no saltaries or used nets to capture the King's deer — 
and for this concession the Bishop gave to the King £1,000. 

1304. Inquest whether it would injure the King if it be 
allowed John de Beaumeys to grant 10 acres of land and 10 
acres of wood in Donynton, to the Prioress of White Nuns of 
Brewed. Inquest in favor. 

1 3 18. Submission of the Priory of White Nuns to the 
Papal Ordinance — as to Chuich of Tibshelf, Co. Derby. 

Elizabeth la Zouche, great granddaughter of rhe loyal 
Alan, (see page ii) caused a flutter of excitement by escaping 
from White Ladies Nunnery in 1326, with Alice de Kallerhal, 
Nuns regularly professed of this house, who had left their 
Convent. 

The Bishop causes publication to be made in Churches ;* 
all who aided or abetted to be severely punished. 

* See Notes by W. Salt Archwolosrical Society Publications, and Eyton'e Aiitiquities. 



igS Election of Prioress. 

Bishop Norbury's Register (Lichfield), says in 133I) 
Elizabeth la Zoiiche makes her confession before the 
liishop in Brewood Church, her petition before the Con* 
vent Gate for re-admission, after which absolution by the 
Bishop, and admission to penance.* 

Also 1338: An Order falling heavily on the Prioress for 
expe?isre voluptarioe, dress and laxity of rule ; Ganes Venatici 
(dogs of the chase) were foand in the Convent. 

1332. The Priory was vacant by the resignation of Dame 
Joan de Huggeford, last Prioress. On the third day of the 
vacancy, the Sub-Prioress and Convent met, and agreed to 
elect a Prioress by scrutiny, whereon Agnes de Weston, Sub- 
Prioress, and two others collected and announced the votes 
of the Convent. The result was the election of Dame Alice 
Harlegh, which was quashed by the Bishop, who appointed 
Dame Alice, because he had heard of her many virtues. She 
died 1349. 

Then she for her good deeds and her pure life, 
And for tlie power of ministration in her, 
And likewise for the high rank slie liad borne 
Was chosen Abbess ; there, an Abbess lived. 
For three brief years, and there au Abbess, past 
To where beyond these voices there is peace. 

Tenuyaon. 

when Beatrice de Dene was appointed, when the site and 
local possessions were three carucates in Donington. 

William de Ercall III. gave a ninth of the tithes ofErcallto 
the White Nuns of Brewood, and land near his Court of La 
More on which to make a weir.| 

'535"6- At the Dissolution, besides jQ6 i.3s. 4d. at White 
Ladies, there were rents in Notts, Staffordshire, and Shrop- 
shire, at Higley, Chatwall, Rudge, Bold, Sutton Maddock, 
Ronton, High Ercal, Berrington, Shrewsbury, Bridgnorth, 
Ingardine, Tedstill, Beckbury, and Humfreston, and the 
Advowsons of Muntford (Salop), and Tydshull (Derby), and 

* See Notes by W, Salt Archsological Society Publications, and Eyton's Antiquities.- 
J Hhrop. Trans, 



Rents of the White Nuns. 199 

a pension from Bold Chapel. They had to pay a chief rent 
of id/- to the Lord of Donnington, and 16/8 annual fee to 
Thomas Giffard, Esq., their Seneschal ; a salary of £^ for 
the Chaplain, appointed by the Nuns, to pray for the souls of 
the Founders. 

The following descriptive letter was sent me by Dr. Knight, 
in reply to my enquiries : — 

X^etcer irom Francis Whitgreave, Esq., to the Right Rev. Dr. Knight, D.D., 
Roman Catholic Bishop of Shrewsbury. 

Burton Manor, near Stafford, 

August 24tb, 1886. 
My Dear Lord, — 

In answer to your kind note just received, enclosing one from Mr. George^ 
Griffihs and which I now leturn, I am sorry t j inform you that but little is known 
with regard to the Convent of White Ladies near Boscobel. We have, perhap.s, 
the be^t collection of books and manu.scripts in England r<-lating to any C mntv, at 
the Sal: Library, in .Stiff )rd. and if Mr. Griffiths, on his n^xt visit to Stafford, 
which is only a very mod^ra'e di-tance frjm what I presume to be his residence — 
Weston Bank — will call there, the Librarian, on Ids application, will show him all 
that is known with regard to the Cistercian Convent in question. 

Please to tell him to ask to be shown a small engraving representing " White 
Ladie< " as it existed in the timi of Charles II. 

A half timber housH. with a curious g^te-house of the same materials, existed 
at that timi attichedto the ruins, which were then in much the same state as they 
are now ; ihe Gjnveut itself having besn swept away and only a portion of the 
Church remiining. Ihe mire modern house mentioned was the residence of a 
youngei' branch of the Giffards's, of Chillington, an i it was to this house that 
Charles was first conducted by Oaptaiu Gifford atter having ridden with him and 
other attendants all night on his flight from Worcester. 

As you are perhaps aware, the house has now entirely disappeared, leaviog only 
the ruins of the Church. 

The jiroperty of the Cjnvent, and aNo that of the Benedictine Nuqs at Black 
Ladies, was grafted by the iofamous Tyrant who suppressed them to the Gifford 
of the tine. White Ladies passed by marriage to the Fitzherbwts. 

Black Ladies still continues the property of the Giffords. 

But I will not add more, as you and Mr. Griffiths proba->ly know all this. 

I shall be much obliged to > our Lordship if you will ask Mr. Griffiths to let m& 
know where his " Guide to Tong Church " can be procured, and the v.ilue of the 
same. 

I need hardly add that Mr. Griffiths will find ample niaterJils Tolatiog to 
Boscabal at the Salt Library. — Believe me, my dear L^rd yours very sincerely 
and respectfully. 

(Sigtt"d) Fr.wcis Whitgrbavb. 

P.S. — The house which now exists at Black Ladi»3 was built by the Giffords m 
the reign of James 1. upan the fQundatious, IxQwever, iji part,, 8.t least, of tbft 
Beuielictive Cojiyeat, 



200 Architectural Features of White Ladies Abbey. 

The Convent ruins were described in 1550, as in the Parish 
of Tong, but they now are in Boscobel extra-parochial district 
in Shropshire. They exhibit some Norman features, particu- 
larly a circular-headed doorway. 

It is a cross Church without aisles. There are indications 
of a pent roof on the north wall, and looking into the cloister 
on that side were four windows. A tiny south window indi- 
cates the centre of the south transept ; a large circular one 
on the north, the north transept, while three more, further 
east are in the north Chancel wall. 

The caps to the south door and arch of the north transept 
are beautiful and characteristic. Generally, there are indica. 
tions of great simplicity and much refinement. The ancient 
vestment in Tong Church (see page 97; is believed be the 
work of the Nuns here or at Black Ladies. Probably, Neach- 
ley was the Grange of the Convent. Is it possible that the 
Mill at Shackerley was the Mill of this Convent ? 

In 1785 Mr. Parkes found at White Ladies, a triple head 
carved in stone, and at seven feet deep several ancient tiles, 
green, yellow and red, with simple designs of circles and 
quatrefoils. Within the ruins are some old monumental slabs^ 
commemorating I suppose conventual or church dignitaries, 
viz. : -- 

One a cro.ss with quatrefoil and circle head, a cap and J. T. 

One a sunk quitrefoil with circltj near south wall, on a tapering slab. 

One on a similar slab, with Latin cross, having eich limb trefoiled, and a cup on 
the right side. 

One a circle with four auobor-like arraws radiatiug to the angles of the square at the- 
bead of the &lab. 

Winifred White's tomb is still here; her "miraculous" 
cure of permanent lameness was attributed to the healing 
virtues of her namesake's well at Holywell. 

The site consists, I believe, of two acres of land, at present 
uafeaced, but defined, the property of the Fitzherbert Family, 




White Ladies, from the S.E. Corner of Ruins. 

(Photographed by G.G., 1894.) 




ii>^^i*! ' 




^i:hnwm«M 




UPRIGHT SLABS AT WHITE LADIES. 



White Ladies Abbey. 201 

and the records are kept by the Rev. Lewis Groom, Roman 
Catholic priest of Brewood, of which place it was the Roman 
Catholic Cemetery until recently. 

In recent times, comparatively, the spot has earned 
notoriety as the burial place of King Charles II's protectress, 
Dame Joane wife of William Pendrell, for a headstone, seen 
there in 1792 — and a copy of which still is in situ — bore the 
following inscription : — 

Here lyeth The bodis of a 
Friende The King did caLL Dame Joane, 
But Now Shee is Deceast and Gone. 
Interred Anno Do. 1669. 

Here grew the yellow saffron or autumn crocus, which an 
old herbalist informs me, grew at Tung and all Romish places ; 
and here still grow the Myrrhis Odorata, a relic of the Nuns' 
herb garden, and other rare plants. 

This Nunnery is in Shropshire, and that of the Black 
Ladies is in Staffordshire. White Ladies was the more im- 
portant of the two. It was a larger establishment than that 
of the Benedictine Nuns, 2 miles distant. 

The perplexities of an Abbess at the time of the Dissolu- 
tion may be gathered from the following curious letter to 
Thomas Cromwell, afterwards Earl of Essex, and as it may 
be from Margaret Vernon of Tong it is interesting : — 
A.D. 1535. Margaret Vernon to Secretary CRoarwBLL. 

After all dew commendacyon^ had unto yowre good maystershyp with my most 
Bmble thankes for the greate coste mayd on me and my pore maydyn at my last 
beynge with yowre miystershyp, furthermore plesyth yt yow to understonde- that 
yowre yysytors hath bene here of late, who hath dyscharged iij. of my systers, the- 
one ys dame Catheryn, the other ij. ys the yonge women that were last professyd, 
whyche ys not a lyttU to my dyscomforte ; nevertheles I must be content with the^ 
kyngea plesure. 

Bat nowe as touchynge my nowne parte, I must humbly besech yow to be so> 
specyall good mayster unto me yowre pore bedewoman, as to give me yowre best 
advertysment and counseyle what waye shalbe best for me to take, seynge there' 
shalbe none left here but myselfe and thys pore madyn ; and yf yt wyl plese yowre 
goo-ines to take thy« pore howse into yowre owne honces, ether for yourselfe, or 
for my nowne [maister] yowre sonne ; I woylde be glad with all my hart to gave jt 



202 Abbess Margaret and her pore Madyn, 

into yowre maystershypes hondes, with that yewyll commaunde me to do therin 
Trustynge and nothynge dowptyiipe ia yowre goodnes, that ye wyll so provyd for 
us, that we shall have syche oneat lyvynge that we shall not be drevyn be necessyte 
nether to begge, nor to fall to no other unconvenyence. 

And thus I offer my selfe and all myne unto your moat hygh and prudent wys- 
dome, as unto hym that ya my only refuge and comfort in thys world, beschynge 
God of hys holy goodnes to put in yow hys holy sprete, that ye maye do all Ihynge 
to hys lawde and glory. 

By yowre owne assured bedewom»n, 

Margaret Vernon. 

Mr. Thomas Wright, F. S.A., says he had not ascertained 
of what Nunnery, Margaret Vernon, the writer of this letter, 
was Abbess. There was a Margaret Vernon, Abbess of West 
Mailing, 151 1, daughter of Sir Harry Vernon ; probably it is 
the same person (see page 52^. 

Mr. Wright adds that the visitors, by putting in force the 
injunctions already alluded to, seem to have nearly emptied 
the house, all the sisters but one having quitted it voluntarily 
or by force, and the Abbess herself seems to have been not 
unwilling to follow their example. 

Here is another curious letter, and of local interest, written 
about the same period as the one from Margaret Vernoa : — 
John Foster to Cromwell. 
[from M.S. Cotton Cleop. E. IV., fol. 116.] 

In my moste humblyst wyse, I beyng not so bold as to appere before your lord- 
schyp untyll your plesure is knowyn, feere sett aptartt, nede compellythe me to 
wrytt. Thys last Lentt I dyd no lesse then wrytt, and also to your presence I dyd 
approche, suyng for your lordschypp.s gracyous aervyce ; but now my sute ys 
macbe other, for my dysfortune hathe byn to have conceyvyd untruly Goddys, 
Worde, and not only with yntellectyon to have thought yt but externally and 
really I have fulfyllyd the same. For I as then beyng a pre.sste have accomple- 
shyd maryage, nothyng preteadyng but as an obedyentt subject ; for yf the kyngys 
grace could have found yt laufuU that prestys myght have byn maryd, they wold 
have byn to the crowne dubbyll and dubbyll faythefull ; furste yn love, scondly 
for fere that the byschoppe of Rome schuld sette yn hys powre unto tber desolac-- 
yon. But now by the noyce of the peopull I perseyve I have dunne amysce, which 
say the that th« kyngys erudyte yugement with all his cowucill temperall 
and spyrytual hathe stableschyd a contrary order, that all pre.stys schalbe .«eparat 
by a day ; with v/hich order I have co»tentyd my selfe, and as aone as I herde jrt 
to be ti-u I Rent the woman to her frendj's iij pcore mylys from me and apedely 

t From Letters relating to the suppression of the Mo;ias.teri_es Camden Society,— from, 
Mw^^CottonOlepj^., E..1V., cap. 55. 




WHITE LADIES. 
NORMAN DOORWAY. 




-^emuuriji (^ tn^miozy. (^/uozcAyot muts' ,^:^£u/ce,i, jJ/t,i///ity/iohey. 




Here Keth 
ThcbwdieofaFnnx). 
•- Tlie King did CiJl 
5 Dame Jo; 
> But Now Shee 13 
_ D^ceast and I'runi 
- Interred Anno Do 



16G9 




FROM The "Gentleman's Magazine," iSog, 



The Priest and his Wife. 203 

and with all celeryte I have resortyd hether to desyre the Kynges hyghtnea of hys 
favour and absolucyon for my amysce doyng, prayng and besechyng your lord- 
schypps gfiicyous cumfort for the optaynyng of hys gracyous pardon, and I schal 
be your bounden sorvaunlt yn hartt and also yu contyuual servyce, yf yt schall 
please your gracyous lordschypp to accept yt, duryng my lyfe- 

Wryttya thexviij day of June. 

Youre hounden for ever, 

John Foster. 

Cromwell was the son of a blacksmith ; some time after 
being a clerk in an Antwerp factory, he was taken into the 
service of Cardinal Wolsey, and on the fall of the Cardinal 
became chief adviser to Henry VIII. He was instrumental 
in the dissolution of the Monasteries, and was created Earl of 
Essex, but for having advised the King's marriage with Ann 
of Cleves, he was accused of treason and heresy, and exe- 
cuted on Tower Hill, 1540. 

At White Ladies Lord Derby committed the King to the 
care of the Pendrill's, having ridden 26 miles. Of Richard 
Penderel's Mill, itself, at White Ladies, if it were there, no trace 
can be found. Near the Abbey were found an old hollowed 
piece of oak, and an ancient water pipe, and traces of a pool 
were visible nearer the brook. George Ponderel was servant at 
White Ladies, and opened the door for the King, who had 
hardly arrived before he was advised to go into the Woods. 
One of the Penderels, William was a farmer at Hubbal Grange, 
Richard, or " Trusty Dick," a retainer at Boscobel House and 
two had lately fallen in the Civil War. 

Mrs. Yates of the Wood was a sister of Richard Penderel's 
wife. She lent the King a blanket, provided eggs, milk, 
butter, &c. 

At the time of the Reformation, Sirjohn Giffard who lived at 
Chillington, and was one of the Commissioners for the seques- 
tration of Church property, received for his own part the 
propcity of Black Ladies at Brewood. His grandson Edward 
was seated at the White Ladies, another sequestrated religious, 
house. Edward's grandson Peter was an active partizan for 



204 The Giffard Family — Hubbal Grange. 

the King during the Civil War, and it was his nephew Charles 
who attended on that Monarch at Boscobel.'^ 

Dame Margaret Stamford was Prioress at the Dissolution, 
and she had £^ allowed her yearly out of the Revenues 
;£iy los. 8d., and the other Ladies in proportion. Henry 
VIII. gave it to Sir Thomas Giffard, loth Lord, 1560, who 
was Bailiff and Keeper of the Bishop's Park, and Seneschal 
of the Priory of St. Leonard's. He was High Sheriff and 
a Royal Commissioner to obtain inventories of Church 
Revenues, 1552. Doubtless his loyal descendant the Squire 
of Chillington could throw much light upon the history. It 
passed through females to the Fitzherberts, of Swynnerton, 
who still own the ruins, and a right of way thereto. 
The Skeffingtons lived here in the i6th century, and there 
exist 3 tablets with exceedingly quaint lines to their memory, 
two (to William Skeffington and his mother) in Tong Church 
(Nos. 28 and 29), and one to his wife Jone in Brewood Church, 
and some account of that family is given on page 88. 

Hubbal Grange is a little old brick and timber 
homestead in Tong Parish, on the side of the Green Lane 
from Tong to White Oak. (See illustration.) In Hartshorne's 
Salopia Antiqua, a suggestion is made as to the derivation of 
this place's peculiar name. " Brompton, in his Chronicle, speaks 
of Hubbelow, or Hubba's Grave, and there is scarcely a place 
in England where there is not some spot thus nominally con- 
secrated by a Briton's or a Saxon's grave, low meaning a 
tumulus, or grave. To the present day the first syllable indi- 
cates the name of the person so interred. In an old Chronicle 
cited by Hearne, speaking of Hubba, the writer says : And 
when the Danes fond Hungar and Hubba died, thei bared 
theym to a mountain ther besyde, and made upon him a logge, 
and lete call it Hubbslugh.'" Samuel Hubball, a local tailor, 
says his family came from Hubbal. 



■*Nevport Advertiser on the death of Mr. W. P. Giftard in 1877. 




BLACK LADIES. 

LACK Ladies in Staffordshire, was a Convent of 
Benedictine Nuns dedicated to the Virgin Mary, 
and so-called from their black habits, the Nunnery 
being three miles from White Ladies. It was 
valued at the Dissolution at £\^ los. 8d. (or £\\ is. 6d.) 
per annum, and was styled the Convent of Brewood. It 
only had six religious persons in it at the dissolution. One 
seal of the House bore : — s. convent s. marie nigrar d'narvm, 
and another, if we may believe Bagshaw : — sigillum commune 
nigrarum monalium d'bre. This second seal is thus described 
in the Brit. Mus. Catalogue : — A pointed oval, the Virgin, 
seated in a canopied niche on the left arm the Child with 
cruciform nimbus, in the right hand a sceptre fleur de lize. 

Henry II. founded Black Ladies, and in 31 Hen. VII., it 
was conveyed to Wm. Whorwood. 

King John, iigg — 1200, bestowed the year's rent of"' Brom, 
i\ merks on the Nuns of Brewood — probably when he visited 
it, as he did also and in 1204, when he gave it a Charter. In 
1203-4 ^^® gave Brewood Nunnery and five others an almoign 
of two merks each. 

Isabel, Prioress of the Black Nuns at Brewood, granted 
lands at Brewood to Bishop Roger Meyland. Bishop elected 
1265 f 1283, a Papal Bull addressed through the Bishop to 
the Black Nuns of Brewood. 

Staff, — Clement de Wolvernehampton, Clerk, sued Alice, Prioress of the Black 
Nuns of Brewode, Robert de Stafford, and Robert atte Hyrst, for taking by force 



* Staff. Archaol. Vol. II. 



+ StafiF. Archaaol. Trans. Vol. VI. 



2o6 Inventory of the NunnerV. 

two oxen belonging to him at Horsebrok, worth 40s. Tlie defendants did not 
appear, and the Prioress was attached by Ealph le Mtssager and another, and the 
others could not be found. The Sheriff was therefore ordered to distrain the 
Prioress and to arrest the others, aad produce them at the Octaves of St. John the 
Baptist, m 38. 

Staff.— Clement of Wolvernehampton, Clerk, sued Alice the Prioress of the 
Black Nans of Brewoue, and Robert atte Hyrst and another for forcibly breaking 
into his hou>e at Horoebrok, and taking his goods and chattels to the value of 
100s. The defendants did net appear, and the Sheriff had been ordered to distrain, 
and he now returned 10s. distrained from the chattels of Alice. He was therefore 
ordered as before to distrain and produce the defendants at the Quindene of St. 
Michael, m. 138. 

1394. — Petronilla, Prioress of the Black Nuns of Brewode and the Conrent there, 
acknowledges £100 at the hands of Thomas lech (de Newport, of High Ercall, Esq., 
who married Isabel, sister of Sir Adam de Pe.-hali, Kt. of Weston) to pray for the 
soul of Thomas de Brumpton, Isabel's first husband, formerly Lord of Eyton, and 
the souls of all his ancestors ; dated in their Chapel at Brewode on Tuesday' in the 
Feast of St. Mi-hael the Archangel, 18 Rich. II.— Thomas de Brnmpton died 1382 
Isabel was dead 1438. 

Brewood Nunnery ex Dugdale's Monasticon ; but whether 
relating to White Ladies or Black Ladies, I cannot tell : — 

The Church, the Vestrye, the Chapter Ho., Bells in Stepull (iii. ), the Hale, the 
Parlore (includes i Folding TabuU, the Forme, the Ghayre, the Cuborde, and the 
Hangings of the Payntyd Cloth). The Chaffe Chamber, the Baylyff's Chamb. 
the Keichyn, the Larder, Brewhouse, Kelyng House, Boylyng Ho., Cheslofte, 
Kylhouse, Grayne (1 qart of whete 6s., 2 qt. of munke corn 8s., 1 qt. of oats xxd., 
1 qt. pese 2s. 8d. ) Catell (1 horse 4s.) Waynes (1 wayne and 1 dungcart) Heye 
xvs. Plate (1 chales and 4 sponys). 
Given to Abbess and Convent ther at ye deptun. 

First to Isabell Launder xls. 

It to Christabell Smith xis. 

Alin Beche xxs. 

Felix Baggshawe xxs. 

Rewards gy vene to the Sarvente ther at ther lyke deportun. 

It. to Wm. Pker chapelon xxxs. 

Robt. Baker xiii. ivd, 

Margt. Burre ii. 

Thos. Bold iii. 

Wm. Morre ii. xvi. 

Thos. Smith x. 

Kateryn Alate xiii. iiii. 

Php. Duffelde iiii. 

Owing by Bailiff of Tonge iis. rent. 

Churchwarden of Brewood iijd. 



Demolition at the Disolution. 207 

There were Roman Catholic Chapels at Long Birch and 
Black Ladies in 1834, the Rev. R. Hubbard being priest at the 
former, and the Rev. John Roe, assisted by the Rev. Henry 
Richmond, incumbent of Black Ladies. Services were 
discontinued in 1840. 

Here in 1834 one report says, " The choir for these latter 
nuns, that for lay sisters, the images on the altar, 
&c., are in the same condition they were left in at the 
dissolution." Where are these now ? It is strange how they 
escaped so long when we find other Commissioners' reports 
tell how the contents of various Religious Houses in Lincoln- 
shire were disposed of as mentioned below, the sacred objects, 
having to be deliberately put " to profane use," as the report 
quaintly expresses it. 

1566 Imigesof Rood, Mary, and John, burned III Eliz. 

1666 Itm. all mas bok«s and all bookes of papistrie tome In pees, and sold to 

pedUrs to lap spice in. 

Itm. one handbell broken, the start of it sold to J. C. and he hath made 

a morter of yt. 

Itm. one crewett cru?te in peces and sold to plnmer for sawdar. 

Itm. copes ve-'t 'tents amisse, towelles, one vaille sold to Johnnio fibster 

and Georj;e verna' 1565 and they have defaced same. 

Itm. all brassen things sold and George Verna' haith sold themtoa pewterer 

of Lincoln. 

Itm. crosse cloth, banner clothes, one cannabie, one veal, one crewitt, one- 

sacring bell, one paire of scissors, and one hally water ffatt wee know not 

what was dooe wt theim and that wee will depo-e upon a book. 

Itm. iiij altar stones Remayneth vnbroken but at or retorne wee will put it 

(sic) to pfane use. 

Itm. candlesticl^s, &c., which we have to make awaie and breake afore 

Eister nexte ; one sabring bell. Will Eland had and hong it by his liorse eare 

a long tyme and now yt is broken. 

Itm. a pix dffacid and made a salt cellar for salt_ 

Itm. a roodloft sold to Langlands who haithe ma^l ? a bridge for his she«p toi 

go over into his pasture. 

Itm. altar stone Pennell made a fyreherth of it in his hall. 

To R">bt. Bellameeij corporax' wliif bis wiefmade of one a stomacher for her 

wench and of thoth^^r being ript >'he will make a ]nirse, the covering of the- 

pix sold to John Storr and bis wief occupibth yt in wiping hereies. 

I visited Black L^adies in 1881 when thert seemed scarcely to 
lije: ai vestige left of the ancient auanery ;, yet the place has aj>i 



2o8 Black Ladies. 

old world look. A rather bold head, carved in stone, is set in 
the chimney stack in the attics. The Chapel between the pool 
and the stackyard is now used as stabling ; in one wall is a 
stone cross, perpendicular, let into the wall. It was disused as 
a chapel in 1844. Small and poor though this chapel was, it 
seems to have at one time possessed among other vestments, 
** a beautiful cope of crimson velvet." Is this the one now at 
Tong? 

The late Mr. Hicks-Smith wrote a little account of Brewood, 
with notices of these nunneries, and the letters from Mr. W. 
Parkesto him on the subject, which I have recently purchased, 
are full of interest. There are pictures of Black Ladies and 
White Ladies in the Salt Library, Stafford. In the Gentle- 
man's Magazine the White Ladies' Abbey is shewn as being 
used for a cart shed, and drawn, I think, by Mr. Parkes ; of him 
and another correspondent in that old magazine, the inimit- 
able Tom Hood makes sorry jest: — 

B asks of C if Milton ere did write 

" Comus " obscured beneath some Ludlow lid. 
And C next mouth, an answer doth indite, 

Informing B that Mr. Milton did ! 

X sends a portrait of a genuine flea. 

Caught upon Martin Luther years agone, 
And Mr. Parkes of Shrewsburj', draws a bee,. 

Long dead, that gathered lionej' for King John. 

If time and space permitted there are many more notes, 
including some on the patronage of the Church of Montford, 
which could be added, throwing light on and relating to these 
Nunneries, but these and many other interesting notes must 
be omitted, as the limit of pages is reached, and I now con- 
clude a work which has been full of interest to write, and will, 
I trust, be perused and accepted by an indulgent public as a 
volume which aims at being nothing more than an earnest 
attempt to contribute an humble page to the glowing records 
of my native County. 



Addenda as to the Nunneries. 209 

Mr. Eyton, in his " Antiquities of Shropshire," tells us that 
the Advowson of Montford had passed to the White Nuns of 
Brewood in the 13th century ; but whether by grant of a 
Lacy or a Fitz-Alan he cannot learn. They had the appro- 
priation of the Rectory soon after 1291. In 1341 the Assessors 
quoted diminished revenues of Montford, and therefore of the 
Nunnery, because there had been a murrain among the sheep, 
and a Severn flood had destroyed most of the growing corn. 

In 1535 the Nuns' Ferm at Montford produced £^ per 
annum, but los. pension they had to pay out of it to the Prior 
at St. Guthlac at Hereford. The Priory and Convent of the 
White Nuns of Brewood presented the following Vicars — Sir 
R. de Audla, d. 1331 ; W. de RedenhuU, d. 1342; Richd. 
Morys, d. of the pestilence 1349; Robert de Wythington, 
1349 ; Sir John de BrehuU, 1373 ; and others, the concluding 
name being Sir Richard Hamon, 1418. 

The following extract from " Forest Pleas," 14 Edward I.. 
fStafFord, relates to the Nuns of Brewood : — 

" It was presented by the reguardors of Cannock that when 
the huntsmen of the Lord the King were hunting in the said 
Forest, in the Bailiwick of Gauley [Gailey] , in the fourth 
year of the present reign, they put up a stag with their dogs, 
and followed it as far as the Park of Brewood, and into the 
Wood there, and that John de la Wytemore came up with a 
bow and arrows and shot at it ; that it fled out of the Forest 
as far as the Vineyard of the Nuns of Brewood, and the afore- 
said John followed it, and drew it out dead from the said 
Vineyard. And thereupon came up John Giffard, of 
Chylyngton, saying he had followed the same stag, and 
claimed it ; so that after they had skinned it together, the 
same John Giffard took half of it with him, and carried it to 
his house without warrant, and the other half the Nuns of 
Brewood had ; and because they are poor, let the same be 
pardoned to them for the soul of the King. And notwith- 

+Ex. J. Hicks-Smith's " History ot Brewood." 
BB 



2IO Nuns of Brewood. 

standing the same stag was captured outside the Forest, yet 
was it the chase of the Lord the King, being put up by his 
dogs within his Forest, &c. It is, therefore, ordered to the 
Sheriff to produce the aforesaid John and John. They were 
fined, the sureties being Will Fitzmargery and Adam of the 
Gate," 

A Convention is mentioned by Mr. Hicks- Smith, without 
date, between the Prioress and Nuns of Browde and the Lady 
Ysabel of Patingham, by which " the said Nuns released to 
*' Ysabel all their right in half a virgate of land in Pattingham 
'* of the demesne ofthesaid vill, andwhich they held in free alms 
"of the gift of Ralph Bassed, and for which the said Ysabel 
" released to the same Nuns an assart in Chylintun. 
"Witnesses, the lord Ralph Abbot of Lylleshull, Ralph 
" Bassed the younger and Richard his brother, Ralph de 
" Perton, William de Wrotesle, and Yva de la Yde." 

It may be that Lady Isabel's Well, on the road near 
Boscobel, mentioned on page 140, is named after this lady. 

Here is another Grant, given by Mr. Hicks-Smith, but 
from what soiurce is not said, relating to Brewood Nunnery. 

" A grant by Margery, formerly daughter of Ralph de 
Coven, to the Black Nuns of Brewde, of 16 pence rent in the 
vill of Horsebroc, from the heirs of Richard Bromhale. 
Witnesses, Richard de Stretton, Kt., Hugh de Weston, Hugh 
de Bolinghale, William Giffard, Robert de Somerford, John 
de Sempiham, Walter [serviente] Peter de Brewode, and 
W. D. Bromhall.'* It is without date. 

Brewood means frightful wood, and the lane near Kidder- 
more Green, which is on the way for Black Ladies Nunnery, 
was called Spirit Lane. There were two healing wells in 
Brewood parish, one of which Avas, I think, in the fields 
adjoining Black Ladies at Stinlcing Lake, near the Watling 
Street road ; was the other the Leper Well, in the direction 
of Codsall, just outside the Chillington Woods ? 

A view of the present interesting domestic structure, known 
as Black Ladies, now used as a farmliouse, is given» 



DEEDS RELATING TO TONG, &c. 

f!>T should be premised that I have obtained these ancient 
'J . 

» Charters chiefly from the British Museum, from time to 

time, and the principal ones of them have been trans- 
lated by Mr. Walter de Gray Birch, F.R.S.L., author of 
*' Vita Haroldi " or the " Romance of King Harold," the 
" History of the Utrecht Psalter," the " Heads of Religious 
Houses in England," and many other works. Two of the 
Charters with seals were transcribed by Mr. R. Sims, author 
of the Handbook of the Library of the British Museum. I am 
aware that antiquarians generally like old documents, such as 
these printed in the Norman-French or Latin, as the case may 
be ; but making a choice of difficulties I have thought it best 
to give them in English only, hoping that Mr. Birch's trans- 
lations will satisfy the most exacting readers, and not forgetting 
that there is a growing number of students of antiquity, who, 
charmed by the subject, have regretfully to confess to a similar 
situation to that expressed in the " Shipmannes Prologue " in 
Chaucer s " Canterbury Tales " : — 

My joly body shal a tale telle 

And I shal clinken you so mery a belle. 

That I shal waken all this compagnie: 

But it shal not ben oi philosophie, 

Ne of physike ne termes quiente in lawe: 

Ther is but lit^l Latin in my mawe 



Grant in Norman French by Fouke of Pennebruge, Lord 
ofTonge, to William, son of WiUiam de Pres, 1323. 

To all the lawful ones in God who shall see or hear this present writing Fouke de 
Penebrugge (a) Lord of Tonge greeting in God. Know ye that I have given and granted and 

(a) Probably Fulco de Pembruge IL, Lord of Tenge, died 1326. 



212 Deeds Relating to Tong. 

by this pre<!ent writing confirmed to William son of William de Pres and to his 
heirs of his body la\\'fully be'_'otten one acre of land in the town of Nortone (b) within my 
Manor of Toug'e lying witliin tin' field which is railed the Watecroft (c), between the land of 
•Harlevvyne on theoiie side and the laml of the aforesaid William on the other side. And if 
the aforesaid William die without heirs of Ids body lawfull.v begotten, then I will that the 
aforesaid acre of land remain to Kichard son of Richard Haligode of Sohnft'unhale [i.''., 
Shifnal] and to the heirs of his body lawfully begotten, and ii tlie aforesaid Richard die 
without heir of his body lawfully begotten, then" I will that the aforesaid acre of land 
remain to Alice sister of the said Richard and to the heirs of her body lawfully begotten. 
And if the aforesaid Alice die without heir of her body lawfully begotten, then [I will that] 
the aforesaid acre of land nmain to Gralan brother of the aforesaid William and to the 
heirs of his body lawfully begotten. And if the said Gralan die without heir of his body 
lawfully begott™ then [that] the aforesaid acre of land remain to Ralph brother of the 
said Gralan and to the heirs of liis body law^fuUy begotten. And if the said Ralph die 
without heir of his body law^fuUy begotten, then I will that the aforesaid acre of land with its 
appurtenances revert to me the aforesaid Fouke and to my heirs or to my assigns. To have 
and to hold all the aforesaid acre of land with its appurtenances easements and 
approachments inclosed (?) and in defence each hour of the year, of me and of my heirs or of 
my assigns, to the aforesaid William, Richard, Alice, Gralan, Ralph, and to tlieir heirs of 
their bodies lawfully begotten in form above-mentioned, freely, quietly, well, and in peace, for 
ever, yielding therefor yearly to me and to my heirs or to my assigns fifteen pence sterling at 
the two terms of the year "usual, by equal portions, and t wo appearances at my Court of 
Tonge, for all manner of other stcular services, exaction^, customs or demands. And I 
the aforesaid Fouke and my heirs will warrant and defend all the aforesaid acre of land with 
its 'appurtenances aforesaid to the aforesaid William, Richard, Alice, Gralan, Ralph, and to 
their heirs of their bodies lawfully begotten according to the form above-mentioned, against 
all mortal persons for ever. In witness whereof I have set my seal to this present writing. 
By these witnesses John the Ward of Tonge (rf), John the Parker (e). William rie Hethul (/), 
Nichol the Tailor, Robert Lefevre [the smith] <(/), and others. Given at Tonge, on Sunday 
next before the feast of St. Barnabas the Apostle, in the sixteenth year of the reign ot King 
Edward son of King Edward. [A.u. 1323.] 



Grant in Norman French by Fouke of Pennebrugge, Lord 
of Tonge, to John the Parker, of Tonge, and Ceciha his wife, 
probably about the same date as preceding. Many of the 
earhest deeds are undated. 

Know all men who are and who are to come, that I Fouke of Penebrugge. Lord of Tonge- 
h^ave given and granted, and by this present writing confirmed to John the Parker of Tonga 
and to Cecilia his wdfe, all the land which John Brid lately held in the manor of Tonge 
excepting the Mess-iage with the curtilage, that is to say, that three acres lie in holiefEeld, 
and one acre lies on tlie mill hul, and one acre lies in the hullefeld, and a " place" in Cole- 
winescroft between the land of William atte Wode (A) of Ampart, and an assart atte Ivy 
hattes between the highway and the land of 'I'homas de la HuUe, and an assart Brery hurst XO 
between Matheus Mor and the land of Thomas de la Hulle. 

I have also given and granted to the aforesaid John and to Cecilia his wife three acres of 
land in the lyhte outside tlie Town of Tonge, that is to say, lying between the fields called 
presteleye {j) on the one side and the way leading towards Brewood from Tonge on the other 
side. 

I have also given and granted to the aforesaid John and Cecilia his wife a " place " of land 
containing six acres in the hyewood, that is to say lying along the highway near the assart 
of Thomas de la HuUe towaids the highway near the assart of Edith Rogers enclosed between 
tlie land of William Robyns on the one side and my demesne land on the other side. 

To have and to hold ail the aforesaid land of me and of my heirs to the aforesaid John and 
Cecilia his wife for the term of their lives, and after their decease I will and graut for me and 

(b) Tong Norton. 

(c) Is this the Water-croft, or wet-croft, or wheat-croft ? 

Crf) Le Ward, the Warden, or one who takes care of. The same name occurs on the old 
slab mentioned on page 28. 

(e) Or park-keeper, a name still lingering in Tong Parish. 

(/) Heathill in Sheriffhales. 

(il) The smith or blacksmith, the forgeman. 

(A) Is this The Wood, now Mr. F. W. Tates's? Au assart is part of the forest cleared of 
wood. 

(«') Briery Hurst, mentioned on page 140. 

0) Priest-ley or pasture. 



Deeds Relating to Tong. 213 

for my heirs that all the aforesaid land revert to John their son and to the heirs of his body 
lawfully begotten. 

And if tlie aforesaid John [die] without heir of his body lawfully begotten alive all the 
aforesaid laud shall return to Oliver his brother and to the heirs of his body lawfully 
begotten. 

And if the said Oliver [die] without heir of his body lawfully begotten alive all the afore- 
said land shall return to Avore his sister and to the heirs of her body lawfully begotten. 

And if the said Avore die without heir of her body lawfully begotten all tlie aforesaid land 
shall return to Amice !iis sister and to tlie heirs of her bodv lawfully begotten. 

And if the said Amice die without heirs of her body lawfully begotten all the aforesaid land 
shall return to Edith her sister aud to the heirs of her body lawfully begotten. 

And if it snail by chance liappen that the said Edith [die] without heir of her body law- 
fully begotten alive all the aforesaid land shall return to me the aforesaid Fouke, aud to my 
heirs witliout any contradiction. 

Yielding therefor yearly to me and to my heirs and to my assigns tliirteen shillings and 
ninepence sterling at the terms of the year usual in the town of Tung, and making two 
appearances at my Court of Tonge far all other services, exactions and demands. 

And I the aforesaid Fouke aud my heirs and my assigns will warrant acquit and defend all 
the aforesaid land to the aforesaid John Cecilia, John, Oliver, Avore, Amice, aud Edith and 
to'their heirs of their bodies lawfully begotten in the form aforesaid against all people for 
ever. 

In witness whereof as well the aforesaid John on the one part as I the aforesaid Fouke by 
the other part, to this present writing indented and partite among us, have put our seals on 
these witnesses : 

Hugh de Beaumes (d) 
Roger de Pulesdone 
William de Preez 
John le Warde 
Roger Hadham and others. 

Seal. A shield of arms ; Barry of six, between two wyverns. 

DK . PENBRIGG 

A. similar seal was in the Shrewsbury Museum of the Shropshire Archaaological Society 
before Its removal to the Corporation Museum, but cannot now be found. 



Receipt in Latin by Robert de Penbrugge, Lord of Tonge^ 
to William le Harpour, 1351. 

Let it be manifest to all by these presents that we Robert de Pennebrugge (a). Lord of 
Tonge, have received by the hands of William le Harpour all the moneys due to us for ward 
and "marriage of all the lands and tenements formerly belonging to John le Ward (the 
Warden) of "the said Town of Tonge. Wliereof we confess that we are fully paid and the 
said William quit and absolved. In witness whereof our seal has been appended to these 
presents. Given at the Castle of Tonge. on Thursday next before Palm Sunday in tha 
twenty-fifth year of the reign of King Edward tlie Third after the Conquest. [A.D. 1351.] 

(a) Robert de Pennebrugge being described as Lord of Tonge, sets at rest the doubt of Mr. 
Eytou in his Autitjuities ef Shropshire, as to whether he was ever owner of Toug, see page 12 

Seal, a shield of arms in tracery as before : SIGILL 



Indenture in Latin by Sir Fulke de Pennebrugge, Knight, 
Lord of Tonge, to William the Smith, of Tonge, 1377. 

Tliis indenture witnesses that I, Fulke de Pennebrugge, Knight, Lord of Tonge, have given 
and granted to William tlie Smith of Tonge, and to Joan liis wife, those two messuages with 
their adjacent curtilages aud appurtenances which John Bysshop formerly held in the town 
of Tonge. 

To liavc and to hold the aforesaid messuages with their curtilages and appurtenances to the 
aforesaid William and Joan aud to the heirs issuing lawfully from the body of the same 
William, of me and my heirs freely, quietly, well, and peacefully. Yielding therefor yearly to 
me and iny heirs two shillings "of silver at the usual terms within the Manor of Tonge, 
and suit of Court as the other burgesses do. And also I, the afortsaid Fulke, and my heirs 
will warrant the aforesaid messuages with their curtilages and appurtenances to the aforesaid 
William and Joan and to the heirs issuing lawfully from the body of the same William iu 
the form above mentioned against all people for ever. In witness whereof as well I, the 



(d) Or de Belmeis, a family who a century earlier had so much to do with Tong. 



214 Deeds Relating to Tong. 

Said Fulke, as the aforesaid William liave to these indentures alternately appended our 
Seals. These being the witnesses : 

Fulke the Smith of Tonge, 

Tlionias Harlewyu of Norton, 

Roger do Hatliam, 

William Hynkeley, and others. 
Given at Tong, on Sunday next after the feast of St. Hilary the Bishop, In the fiftieth 
year of the Reign of King Edward the third after the Conquest. [A.D. 1377.] Broken seal : 
a hare or rabbit. 



Release in Latin by Sir Fulk de Pembruge, Knight, of 
claim in Weston to Sir Adam de Peshale, Knight, 1399. 

Let all men know that I, Fulk de Pembruge (a), Knight, have remitted, relaxed, and abso- 
lutely quitclaimed from me and my heirs, to AdamdePeshale(6), Knight, to the end of his life, 
all my rent which he was accustomed to pay me namely, thirty -three sliillings and four 
pence, fur a fifth part of the Manor of Weston-under- Lizard [Oo. Staff.] which he liolds from 
ms for liis lifetime, reserving to me and my heirs free entry and exit to the wood within the 

said fifth iiart of the said Manor according to my 

wiU and to my heirs (?) 

Dated at Weston Thursd. after Feast of Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary [8 Dec] in 
the first year of Henry^LIV.] [1399]. 



Grant by Sir Adam de Peshale, Knight, of lands in Weston, 
to Roger de Aston, William Lee and Thomas de Walton, 
excepting those held for his life from Sir Fulk de Pembrug, 
Knight, 1406. 

I, Adam de Peshale, Knight, have given and by this my indented'Charter confirmed to 
Eoger de Aston, parson of the Church of Weston, William Lee, and Thomas de Walton, my 
Manor of Weston-under-Lizard [Co. Staff.] and the advowson of the same Manor, with all 
its appurtenances, excepting those lands and teneuieuts with appurtenances which I hold in 
the same town to the end of my life from Fulk de Pembruge, Knight. 

Dated at Weston, Thursday before the Feast of the Purification of the.Blessed Virgin Mary 
[2 Feb.] in the 7th year of the reign of King Henry the Fourth after the Conquest. [1406]. 



Indenture by Isabella de Penbrigge, lady of Tonge, and 
Sir Richard Vernon, Kt., to William Wixstone, 1436-7. 
Campbell Chart. April 14, 1436-7, 14 Hen. VI., L.F.C. 
xix. 13. 

This indenture made between Isabella Penbrigge, lady of Tonge, and Richard Vernoun 
Knt., upon the one part, and William Wixstone, upon the other part, wituesseth, that the 
aforesaid Isabella and Richard, have concedeil, delivereil and to farm let, to the aforesaid 
William, a cottage called le Bakhous and a toft in which a cottage called le Hallehoua 
was lately built, which said toft is called le hallehous yarde, and three acres 
of waste land, of land existing in the hand of the lady and one half acre 
of meadow lying next a meadow called Fysshermedowe. To have and to huld, the afore- 
said cottage, toft, three acres of land and half an acre of meadow, with appurtenances, to 
the aforesaid William and his assigns, from the day of the makins; of these presents, until the 
end of a term of sixty years, then next following and fully completed. Rendering thence 
annually, to the aforesaid Isabella, or to her certain attorney, or to her executors, during the 
life of the said Isabella, three shillings of lawful money of England, and after the deoeasa of 
the said Isabella, if she should die within the term aforesaid. Rendering thence annually, to 
the aforesaid Richard, his heirs or executors, or to his certain attorney, three shillings of the 
lawful money uf Kngland, at the three terms of the ye:tr, there usual, by equal portions. 
And if it should happen that the aforesaid rent of three shillings be in arrear, in i)art or 
wliiilly, and not paiu for the space of fifteen days, after any Term in wnich it ought to be 
paid, "tlien it shall be lawful for the aforesaid Isabella and her assigns, and for the aforesaid 

(a) Fulke de Pembruge IV. who died 1499. 
(6> Lord of Westou. 



Deeds Relating to Tong. 215 

Riclwrd, bis heirs and assigns, if tlie aforesaid Isabella sboulil happen to die witliin the said 
term, to distrain upon the aforesaid cottage, toft, three acres of land, and lialf au acre of 
meailow, witli appurtenances, and upon any parcel tliereof, and to abduct, carry away, drive 
away, and take i)OSse.-sion of, tlie disti'aints so taken, until the aforesaid rent together with 
the arrears of the same, if there sliall be any, sliall Ik satislied and paid to them. And if it 
sbouM happen that tlie aforesaid rent of three shillings, be in arrear, in part or wiiolly un- 
paid for forty days after any term in which it ought to be paid, by default of the aforesaid 
William, ami that sufficient distraint upon the aforesaid cottage, toft, three acres of land 
and half an acre of meadow, with appurtenances, cannot be found, then it shall be truly 
lawful for the aforesaid Isabella or her certain attorney, and to tlie aforesaid Richard, hi3 
heirs and assigns, provided that the .said Isabella should die within the term aforesaid, to 
enter upon the aforesaid cottage, toft, three acres of land and half an acre of meadow, with 
appurtenances, and to repossess the same, and to hold them in their original state, the present 
indentures notwithstanding. And the aforesaid William shall build upon the said toft, next 
the said cottage called le Bakbous, a certain house of two spaces, and a sufficient oven in the 
said house, such as may satisfy the tenants of the lord tiierc. And the aforesaid William 
shall build, upon the said toft, "called the " Hallehous ^arde," a certain house of three spaces 
in which the said Wiliiam shall dwell, within two years of the term aforesaid. And the 
aforesaid William his heirs or assigns, shall well and sufficiently repair, sustain, and main-, 
tain, the said tenement so erected, as often as it sliall be necessary, during the term afore- 
said, and sliall restore it, sufficiently repaired, at the end of the term aforesaid. And the 
aforesaid Isabella and Richard, and their heirs, shall warrant, in form aforesaid, the afore- 
said cottage, toft, and three acres of land and lialf au acre of meadow land, with appurten- 
ances, to the aforesaid William and his assigns, during the whole of the term aforesaid, 
against all people. In testimony whereof the pai'ties aforesaid, have alternately affixed their 
seals to those Indentures. These being witnesses, Thomas Merstoue, William Ulever, Henry 
Benet, John ,7owe, John Cat, of Aylestone, and many others. Dated at Aylestonc, the 14th 
day of the month of April, in the "l4th year of the reigu of King Henry, the sixth since the 
Conquest. 

A small circular seal of red wax impressed with the letter I. surmounted by a crown. 

This seal is sketched on the plate at page 27, and an account of Isabella, the Foundress of 
Tong College and Church, is given on page 32. 



Grant, in Latin, by Isabella (formerly wife of Sir Fulco 
Penbrugge, Knight), lady of Tonge, and Sir Richard Vernon, 
Knight, to Thomas Skot and Johanna his wife, at the rent of 
a red rose, 1446. 

To all the faithful in Christ to whom this present indented writing may come Isabella (a) 
formerly wife to Fulco Penbrugge, Knight, lady of Tonge, in the County of .Salop, and 
Richani Vernon, Knight, greeting in the Lord. Since I the aforesaid Isabella may have and 
hold for term of my life, a burgage witli croft at the eml of the town of Tonge towards 
Culsale (b), situated next the high way, the reversion and remainder of the said Burgage and 
Croft belonging after tlie death of the said Isabella to me the said Richard Vernon ami my 
heirs. Know that we the aforesaid Isabella and Richard Vernon by unanimous assent and 
will, have delivered, conceded, and by this own present indented writing have confirmed to 
Thomas Skot (c) and Johanna his wife the aforesaid Burgage with croft, for the good 
service of the said Thomas, paid to me the said Isabella and also for the laudable service to be 
hereafter paid to me the aforesaid Isabella and to Richard, and to the heirs of the said 
Richard. To have and to hold the aforesaid Burgage wif.i Croft, to the aforesaid Thomas 
Bad Johanna his wife for the terra of their lives and of the longest liver of them. Rendering 
thence annually to me the said Isabella during my life and after the death of tlie said 
Isabella to me tl>e said Richard and my heirs during tiie life of the said Thomas and Johanna 
nnd the longest liver of them, a red rose on the feast of St. John the Baptist suit at Court 
and of the mill for all other services and demands. And tlie said Thomas and Johanna shall 
well and truly maintain repair and sustain the said Burgage uith croft during their lives- 
and the longest liver of them, at the expense of 16s. to them, and after the death of tlie said 
Thomas and Johanna the said Burgage with croft shall wholly remain to me the said 
Richard aivl tomy heirsforever. And wethevefore tlie afore.-a d Isabella and Richard and my 
heirs will warrant and defend the aforesaid Burgage witli criiift to the aforesaid Thomas and 
Johanna during tlieir lives and the longest liver of them, in form aforesaid against nil 
people. In testimony whereof the said Isiibella and Kichaid Vernon have affixed their seal* 

(a) Same as in preceding deed. The Foundress of Tong College— see page 32. Date 1446, 
24 Hen. VL 
(6> Kilsall. 
(c) Name mentioaed on psige 107. 



2i6 Deeds Relating to Tong, 

to the one part of the indented writing remaining in the possession of the Jaforesaid 
Isabella and Richard, the, aforesaid Tliomas and Johanna have aflSxed their seals. Dated at 
Tonge on the feast of All Saints in the twentj'-fourth year of the reign of King Henry tne 
Sixth since tlie conquest. 

.(Without Seal.) 



Charter, in Latin, by Sir Richard Vernone, Knight (see 
page 37) to John Vernone, his son, of all his lands at 
Trusseley, Co. Derby, 1447. 

Know men present and to come that I, Richard Vernone, Knight, have given granted, and 
by this my present charter confirmed to Jolui Vernone my son, all my lands and tenements , 
rents and services, meadows, fields, and pastures, with all their appurtenances in the town 
and fields of Trusseley in the County of Derby. To have and to hold all the aforesaid lands 
and tenements, rents and services, meadows, fields and pastures, with all their appurtenances, 
to the aforesaid John, his heirs and assigns for ever of the chief lords of that fee for the 
services thei'e for due and of right accustomed : And I also the aforesaid Richard and my 
heirs will warrant and for ever defend all the aforesaid lands and ttnemeuts, rents and 
services, meadows, fields and pastures with all their appurtenances aforesaid to the above said 
John his lieirs and assigns against all people. In witness whereof to this my present charter 
I have appended my seal. Tliese Ijeing the witnesses : 

Thomas Blount, Sampson Meverell, Knights : 
Nicholas Mountegomery, John Cokayn, 
Henry Bradborne, esquires, and others 
Given at Harlastone, on tlie fourteenth day of the month of September In the twenty-sixth 
year of the reign of King Henry the Sixtli after the Conquest. [A.D. 1447.] 
Seal in red wax : A Sliielil of Arms ; Fretty, a canton, etc. 
SIGILLUM. KICARDX. VEIiNOUN. MILITIS. 



Mr. Charles Wrottesley writes to the Rev. J. H. C. Clarke, 
vicar of Tong : — " General Wrottesley copied for me John 
Mitton's will, dated 1499, from a manuscript of ' Huntbach,' 
now at Wrottesley. I should have sent it to you before, but I 
mislaid it. You will see in his will John Mitton of Weston 
bequeaths 2/6 to the ' forming of Tong Church,' which I 
suppose is the ancient way of naming the seats in a Church." 

Huntbach M.S. at Wrottesley, p. 153, Oct. 12, 1893. 

In the name of &od Amen,* 21 Dec, 1499, I John Mitton of Weston make my testament i^ 
this wise. First I bequeath my soul to Cxod and to our Lady and all the company of heyven 
and my body to be buryed in the Chancell of St. Andrew of Weston, and 40, s to the said 
Church andxill'of wax to burne about my body the day of my buryall to our Lady of 
Coventry 12d. to St. Chad of Lichfield 12d. I giVe to my wife the JIauor of Weston for 6 
yeares to find a preist to sing for my soule in the Churcli of St. Andrew of Weston for 7yeares, 
to Griffitli my son 5 marks of land for his life and lU marks in mouj'e, ti kine, 2 gownes, and 
2 doubletts. I will my servant John Brokes goder (gather) my rents in Bobinton and have 
20/s per annum for his life. Item to my servant Thomas Steveiiton (3s Hd. to William Fowke 
of Brewewode a gowne of black and peiike furred with martennes, to Bobinton C'lairch 3s 4d, 
to the forming of the Clmrch at Tong 2s 6d. To my cozen Joyce Jacks the farm of 
Donnetioue for her life. Executors Jane his wife and Mr. Docter Salter and the Lord 
Shrewsbury, overseer. Proved 12 February, 1499.* 



Fulke Eyton's Will, date 1454. See referred to on page 36. 

" In dei nonine, Amen; and of cure Lady and of all e the Holy Company of Heven, 
Amen. I Fooke Eiton, Esquire, hole of body and mynd, make my Testament in this 
wise. First I bequeath my sowle to God, and to our Lady, and to alia the Company of 
Heven, and make myn Executors Sir Richard Eiton Prest my brother, Warden of the 
College of Tonge, and Sir Roger the Vicar of Welyngton, and Isabella Engletield. First 
I will that my body be laide in Tonge, by my Godfadre, Sir Fowke of Penbrege, 

♦ One of these dates is an error. 



Deeds Relating to Tong. 217 



withinne the Chapell of Oure Lady; and after that, I will that there be take of my best 
goods for to say V thousand placebos and dirigies and V thousand masses; and for every 
dirigie and masse iiijd., add I bequoth tu the ahneshouse of Tonge X Li of money, for the 
which money the said almesman should be charged for to sey at my grave Ue profundis, 
thei that canne, and thei that can not a Pater noster — and for mo sowle and Thomas of 
Eiton my fadre and Katharine my modre's sowles; and also thei should pay a prest to 
cast holy water on my grave. Also I bequeth to the Warden and to the Prestes of the 
saide College of Tonge my best Basin and Eure of Silver; and the saide Warden and 
Prestes shall have in charge, every dale when thei wesch, to sei a Pater Noster and Ave, 
and so to have me in perpetuall remembrance. — Also I bequeth to the saide Collage a Bed 
called a fedrebed, with the honging thereto of blew worstede; wherefore the saide 
Warden and Prestes should be charged and bounden for to seic withyn the same yere XV 
Placesbos and Dirigiees, and iV Masses of the Trinitee, and V of the Holy Ghost, 
V and of our Ladye, and while it pleasith him to seie a mass of Requiem every 
yere, on that same day that I dide upon. Also I bequeth to a prest to synge V 
yere as my Executor may accorde with him for my fadre sowle, and my modere's 
and myn, and I charge you that he be a clene man ot his body. Also I bequeth 
to John Eiton alle myn horse and riding harnes, reservyd to me all my trapers and 
harnes of Goldsmythes worke; and I will that Luce his wife have X.li so that she 
kepe here a clene woman and a good till the daye of here mariage. I bequeth also to 
John the boy an horse and XL.s. : and also to John de Labowley XL.s.; and to my page 
Harmon XX.s, : for thei both came with me out of Normandye. Also I bequeth to the 
Chapell of our Lady of Tonge my masse boke and Chalice, and my blew vestiment of 
damaske of my armes; and another vestiment to Wembrege, to pray for my fadre's sowle 
and my modere's. I bequeth also to John Eiton XX. li to his mariage; and to Fowke 
Eiton, Roger Eiton son other XX li of the summe the which Roger Eiton ovveth me; and 
he to be alowed of all that he paide me. — .\lso I wille that the said Roger yeve to every 
frere house of Schrapbery a centayn ot corne for to pay certain eires (years) for my soulo, 
after the disposition of myn Executours : and that if he woU not I charge you that ye law- 
fully sue him till he doe it. Also I vvoll that my Lord of Arundell, that now is aggro and 
compoune with you my seide Executours, for the bon (bones) of my Lord John his brother, 
that I broughte oute ot France ; for the which carriage of bon and oute of the frenche- 
mennys handes dely veraunce, he owith me a ml, marc and iiij c, and aftere myn Executours 
byn compouned with, I woU that the bon ben buried in the Collage of Arundell, after 
his intent ; and so I to be praide for in the College of Arundell and .\lmeshouse per- 
petually. Also I bequeth to Nicholas Eiton one of the good fedre beddis and a chambre 
and a bedde of lynne cloth, styned with horses. I bequeth also to Isabelle Englefield 
another goode feder bedd, and a pair of fustians and a sparner of selke, the which myn 
armes beth ynne ; and after her decesse, to yeve it to John Englefield here sone. — and as 
towchinge the goodes to fulfille my Testament, Sir Wiliam lynsey my prest can telle you 
where thei ben and more overplus. Wherefore I charge you as ye will answer afcre God 
at the dreddfull day of Dome and tliat ye fnllfdl and complete this my Testament here and 
afore God, I geve you full power of all my gocdes, so for to do ; and wille that my brothers 
Nicholas and Roger, have the oversight of the fulfilling of my Testament. In to the 
witness of alle this, I have sett to the seigne of myn armes and the scigne of myn devise, I 
wreten atte Schrawardyne the VLij day of Februarie the yere of our Lorde a.m.l. ccccli." 
(Proved 12th Dec, 1454, by Richard Eiton and Isabella Englefield). 
Ex Shreds and Patches. 



A curious letter of Margaret, Lady Stanley (see pages 64 
and 177), to her brother- [-in-law] , John Manners. 

1594, Sept. 16, Touge. I spoke to you before of a lease my father mude ( f a ten? mcjit at 
Harleston to Harry Vernon and Dorothy his wife and (ieorge tl eir son fur tliiir lives, but 
virtue of vvluch they lived and died in that tenement. Now couies Maud Vernon and claims 
it by virtue of a prior lease granted to her father and mother and her, liy my fat her. She 
can shew no lease, but tries to prove it, hy witnesses. As tljese witnes>e8 fail, they vaunt 
that Lady Vernou " will knocke yt deade, and that in her ys all there trrste. ' It would be 
very bad if my lady should do so, as she cannot justify Maud Vernon's title, without touchingf 
my father's credit. I beg to be commended to uiy nephew George and his wife. 

Signed. 



Indenture between Sir Edward Stanley, K.B., Sir Baptist 
Hickes, and Dame Elizabeth, his wife, of the one part, and 
Thomas Crompton^ of Stone, Esq. ; Robert Challenor and 

cc 



2i8 Deeds Relating to Tong. 

Richard Barbour, of Stone, gent. ; George Bennett, the elder, 
of London, and George Bennett the j'ounger ; and John 
Daintry, of Spott Grange, yeoman, of the otlier part. A.D. 
1613. (L. F.C. xi., 30, Brit, Mus.) 

This Indenture made the three and twentieth daye of June in the yeres of the Raigne of 
our Soueraigne lord James by the grace of God king of England Scotland ftraunce uud 
Irelaud Dt-feiidor of the ft'aith etc. That is to saye of England ffrauiice and Ireland the 
Eleiientli, and of Scotland tlie Sixe and ft'ouretieth, Betwcene Sir Edward Stanley <if Eusham 
in the Countie of Oxon Knight of the Hunorable order of the Batli Sir Baptist Hickea of the 
City of London Kniglitand Dame Elizabeth his wife of tlie one partie. And Thomas Crouipton 
of Stone in the Countie of Stafford Esquire, Robert Challcuor and Xlichard Barbour of Stone 
afort-baid gent, George Bennett the elder Citizen and Salter of London, and Ueorge Bennett 
the younger Sonne of the sai<le George Bennett the elder. And John Daintry of Spott grange 
in tlie said Countie of Stafford yeoniau un the other partie, Whereas the saide Sir Edward 
Stanley and Sir Baptist Uiokes, by diverse and sundry deedes Indented bearing date the 
second ilay of November last past liefore the date of these pi'esents. and enrolled in his 
Majesties High Court of Cliauncery, asalso by diverse and sundry otlier deeiis bearing date the 
Tenth day of November last past before the date of these presents, Have fur the Consideracions 
in tlie saide Deeds expressed graunted bargained sold assured Couveighed vnto them the 
aforesaid Thomas Crouipton Robert Challenor Richard Barbour and John Daintry theire 
heires and assignees, And mito the said George Bennett the elder and George Bjuiiett the 
yonger and the heires and assignees of the saide George Bennett the elder diverse Jle.-suages 
Cottages tt'armes lands Tenements Commons and Hereditaments seituate lying and being or 
to be had Received or taken within the Manor or Lordshipp of Cublastun aiias 
Kibbulstau alius Kebleston, alias kebulstou alias Cubleston, and in Stone in the aforesaid 
Countie of Statford : as by the said severall deeds more at larger apiieareth. And whereas 
also the saide Sir Edward Stanley, Sir Baptist Hickesand Dame Elizabeth his wife have in 
the Octaves of Saint Martin last past before the date of these presents leuied and acknow- 
ledged one ffine before his Majesties Justices of the Common Pleas at Westminster vnto the 
aforesaid Thomas Crompton and Robert Challenor and to the heires of the saide Thomas of 
Thirty Messuages, Tenne Cottages, ffourety gardens three hundred acres of laud, two 
hundred acres of meadow ffoure thousand acres of pasture a hundred acres of wood ffoure 
hundred acres of ffures and Heath, and one Hundred acres of Moore with the appurteuaunceS 
in Cublaston aiias Kibbulston alias Keljlestou alias Kebulstou alias Cubleston Meyford alias 
Mevfortli Outouue alias Oulton Cotwaltou Woodhouses alias Woodhousen Spott and Stone, 
and of Common of pasture for all manner of Cattle in Outouue alias Oultou and Meyford 
alias Meyforth as by the Record of the saide tfine more at large appeareth : Now these 
present witnesse that the entent and true meaninge of the parties to the said ffine at the tj'me 
of the acknowledging thereof was, That the Messuages iCottages lands Tenements Commons 
and other the liereditaments in the saide ffiue Conteyued were, .\nd it was ment and entended 
they should be the Messuages Cottages lands, Tenements and hereditaments by the aforesaid 
deeds enrolled and other the Couveiances aforsaide graunted bargained sold assured and 
Conveiglied or thereby meucioued to be gramited bargained sold assured and Conveightd, 
And all ami every the parties to these presents doe further by these presents declare, And 
for them and every of them tl.elre and every of theire heiies and assignes doeC ovenantg 
graunt and agree that the saide ffine shall be an envre, and shall be deemed and taken to 
be an envre, And that they the saide Thomas Cromsptou And Robert Challenor theire heires 
and assignes shall stand and be seised of the premissss in the saide ffine mencioned and 
Contevned vuto the uses euteuis and purpose hereafter followinge. That is to say that as to 
the Messuages [etc., etc.] 

In witness whereof the parties above said to these presents have interchangeably put 
theire haudes and seales the day and yere first above written. [A.D. 1613.] 

Seals of the arms of 

Sir Edward Stanley and 
Sir Baptist Hickes. 

Edward Stanley Baptiste Hickes. 

Sealed and delivtred in the presence of ^ Sealed and delivered 
John Latliu. (a) '■ per Sir Baptist Uickcg 

fcimon Smith. ) in the presentes of vs. 

Robt. Grigg. 
.(Elcocke. 

(a) It will be remembered that this man wrote the coffin plate recently found in the vault 
ia Ton^ Church. See page 65. 



Deeds Relating to Tong. 215 

Deed— John Giffard, of Boscobell, and his three daughters, 
Frances, Dorothy, and Philhp, 1632. 

To all Chrii'tian penple to wlinme theis presentes shall come I Jnlm Gifffirri of Boscobell in 
the Coiintie of Salop Esqnierdoe send greetinge in onr Lord (jod everlastinge. Whereas I the 
said John Giffard by Indentnre bearing date the Ninth day of May last past before the date 
of theis presentes made Betweene me the said John Giifard of the one parte. And ffrannces 
Giffird. Dorothie Giffird and Phillip Giffard three of the daughters of me the said John 
Giflfird on thother parte, for and in consideraeion of the naturall Love and Affeceon -n-liich I 
have to my said daughters And for the C<intinuance of the Lands thereafter expressed in my 
blond And for other Consideracons me the said John Giffard espeoially thereunto moaning 
did for me and my heires thereby covenant and graunt to and with the said ffraneees Giffard 
Dorothie Giffard and Phillip Giffard their heires and assignes 'i'hat I the said John Giffard 
anil my heires and every other person and persons and his and their heires whoe then stood 
and were seis°d or hereafter slionld stand and be seized of any estate of Inheritance in all or 
any parte of the Scite of the disso'ved Mona'ter}- Priory or Nunnery of the Wl>ite Ladies of 
Brewood otherwise called theScitoof tlie late howseand Church of >aint Leonard of Brewood 
in the Counties of Salop or Stafford or either of them And of the Scite of the howse now- 
Called or knowue by the name of Boscobell And of all or any parte of the howses Buildings 
Barnes gardens orchards dovecotes hoppyards Lands Tenements Meadowes Leasowes 
pastures profitts Coniodities Rentes Revercions quitt rents and all and singular 
othir the hereditaments to the said dissolved Monastery Nunnery or Howse and 
Church in any wise belonging which was or were theretofore the inheritance of 
Edward Giffard Esqre deceased father to me the said John Giffard And of all 
that the Gringe Farm or Teuemente called Necholes with the appurtenaunces in 
the parishes of Tonge and Donnington or either of them in the said Countie of 
Salop— and of all howses Buildings Lands Tenements and other hereditaments to the said 
Grange or farme or Tenement in any wise belonginge or then or late to and with the same 
occupied or enjoyed or was reputed to be parte or parcell of the said Grange or farm called 
Necholls And alsoe of all that tlie Mannour of Plordweeke with the appurtenaunces in the 
said C-iuntie of Stafford and all the Lands Tenements Rents Revercons and other heredita- 
ments being and arisinge in or out of the Townes feilds or precincts of Plordweeke which 
heretofore were the inheritance of the said Edward Giffard deceased should and would stand . 
and be seised thereof and of every parcell tliereof to the severall uses intents and purposes 
thereafter expressed That is to say of the Scite of the said dissolved Monastery Priorie or 
Nnnnery of White Ladies of Brewood otherwise called the Scite of the howse and Church of 
St. Leonard of Brew lod the house called Boscobell and of all and singular other the premisses 
with their and every of their appurtenaunces to the said howse Priory Nunnery or Ch\irch 
belongniff or to or with the same used or enjoyed And alsoe of the saide Grange or ferme 
called Necholls and all other the premisses with their appurtenaunces to the said Grange or 
farme belonging or to and with the same used or enjoyed TO the use and behoofe of the 
saiil John Giffard for and daring his Naturall life without impeachment of or for any 
manner of Wast whatsoever and from and after the decease of the siid John Giffard then 
TO [the use and behoope of the said] ffraunces Giffard and her heira &c. 163!i. 
(Signed) Jhon Gyfford. 

Seal of his arms well preserved. 
Endorsed.— BubiCTihei. sealed and delivered in the presence of — 

Jephson Jnell 
Thomas Cotton 
Edward Barift 



Deed — John Giffard, of Boscobell, and John Cotton and 
Frances Giffard, on their marriage, re White Ladies, Bosco- 
bell, and Neachley Grange, 1633. 

This Indenture made the Twentith daie of June in the Eight yeare of the raigne of our 
Roveraigne Lord Cliarles by the grace of God of England Scotland ffraunce and Ireland King 
Defender of the faith etc. Betweene John Giffard of Boscobell in the Countie of Salop 
esquire of a th'one parte and John Cotton Sonne and heire apparent of Tliomas Cotton of 
Giddius Abbotts in the Countie of Huntington esquire and ffraunces Giffani daughter of 
the said John Giffard of th'other parte Witnesseth that the said John Giffard for and in 
Consideracon of a marriage by the grace of God shortly to be had and solenipnized by and 
betweene the said John Cotton and ffraunces Giffard And for the naturale love and 
affeceon which the said John Giffard bearetli unto his said daughter anil unto toe said John 
Cotton his intended sonne in lawe and for the Continuance of the lands hereafter menconed 
in his blood and for other good causes and consideracons him the said John Giffard thereunto 
specially moveinge Doth for him his heires and assignes, and even e of them Covenauat 



220 Deeds Relating to Tong. 

grauute and agree to and with the said John Cotton and ffraunces Gyffard and either of 
them their heires executours administrators and assignes and every of them by theis presents 
That liee the said Jolm Giffard and liis heires and every other person and persons and his and 
tlieir lieires whoe nowe stand or bee seised or at any time liereafter shall stand or bee seised 
of any estate of inheritance of or in all or any parte of the Scite of the Manuonr or disolved 
Monastery i'riorye or Niinnerye of the White Ladies of Brewood otherwise called tlie Scite 
ot tlie late liowse and Church of St. Leonard of Brewood witli th' appurtenaunccs situata 
lyeing or being ia tlie Counties of Salopp and Stafford or one of them And of the Scite of the 
howse nowe called or knowne by the name of Boscobell. And of all that the Graunge ffarme 
or Tenement Called Nechells withth'appurtenances situate or being in the parrishes of Tonga 
and Dounington or either of them in the said Countie of Salopp with th'appurtenaunces 
scituate lyeiJig and being in the said Countie of Salopp and Stiifford or one of them And of 
all or any parte of the 'howses^buildinges Barnes stables Courtes Backsides gardens orchards 
dovecotts hoppyards lands meadowes leysurcs pastures feediuges waters pondes fishpooles 
profitts Comodities services Rentes quitrents reversions and all and singular other the 
hereditaments with their and every of their appurtenaunccs unto the said Manuour or 
disolved Monastery Priorye Nunnery howse or Church Uraunge ffarme or Tenement in any 
wise belonginge or apperteyning or now or late vsed occuined or enjoyed with the same or 
knowne reputed or taken to be part or parcell thereof and of all other the Landes and 
tenementes of inheritance of the said John Giffard lyeing and beinge in the said Counties of 
Stafford and Salope or either of them (except all that Tenement with th'appurtenaunces 
■commonly called Hedgford lyeing in the said Countie of Stafford) shall and will imediately 
from and after the said Marriage had and solempnized Betweene the said John ami ffraunces 
stand and be seised thereof and of every parte and parcell thereof and of all and singular the 
premises with th"appurteuaunces (except before excepted) unto the several uses inteutes and 
purposes hereafter in and by theis presentes menconed expressed limitted or declared and vnto 
none other use intent or purpose whatsoever that is to sale unto the use and behoofe of 1dm 
the said John Giffard and Dorothy Giffard wife of the said John Giffard for and dureing 
their naturall lives and the naturall life of the longest liver of them And from and after the 
deathes of them tlie said John Giffard and Dorothie his wife vnto the use and behoofe of the 
said ffraunces Giffard, &c., &o., provided allwayes and it is mutually agreed Betweene the 
said parties that the sale of the said tymbcr and tymber trees be ffirst of all Tendred for the 
said somme of Three Hundred pounds vnto them the said John Cotton and ffraunces his 
intended wife or to the survivor of them before any sale thereof be absolutely made unto any 
person or persons whatsoever. And the said John Giffard for himselfe his Executors 
administratours and assignes and every of them Doth Covenaunte graunte promise and agree 
to and with the said John Cotton and ffraunces Giffard his intended wife and either of them 
their cxecutours administratours and assignes and every of them by theis presentes That hee 
the said John Giffard or his assignes or any other person or persons by or with Ids consent or 
procurement dureing the naturall life of him the said John Giffard shall not nor will not fell 
or cutt do\vne or cause to be felled or cutt downe any wood Underwood or Copice wood 
standinge or groweiuge in the vpward parte of the wood Commonly Called or knowne by the 
name of Cawdle wood the same wood being parcell of the foremenconed premisses and the 
said vpward parte thereof in and by this covenaunte intended doth conteyne and is to be 
esteemed the greater parte of the said Wood and leadeth from the dwelling howse there 
called Boscobell to the Lawnde there belowe In Wittnes whereof the parties flirst above 
named have vnto theis presentes Interchangeably putt their hands and scales the day and 
yeare first above written. 

(Signed) Jhon Gyffard 

Seal of his arms : well preserved. 
Endorsed : — Sealed and delivered in the presence of 

Thomas Cotton 
Thomas Cotton 
Jephson Jnell 
Edward Husbands 
[British Museum. Cotton Charters, iv, i3— 2.] 



Deed — John Giflfard to John Cotton, re White Ladies, 1632. 

Memorandum quod Johannes Gyffard de Boscobell in Comitatu Salopie Armiger (blank in 
MS) Junii Anno Regni Domini nostri Caroli Regis Anglic Scotie Frauncie et Hibernie etc : 
Octavo Coram Domino Rege in Cancellaria sua personaliter ooustitutus Recognovit etc. 

The Condicon of this Obligacon is such that yf thabovebounden John Cotton doe or shall 
from time to time and at all times hereafter peaceably and quietly permit and suffer thabore 
named John Gyffard and his asgs to have hold possesse and iujoye All tiiat Maunor Scite of 
the Mannor or ilissolved Monastery or Nunnery of the Whiteladyes of Brewoode otherwise 
called ye Sciteof the late howse and Church of Set Leonard of Brewood with thappurtenaunces 
scituate lyinge or beinge in the Couut3'es of Salope and .Stafford or one of them And alsoe 
all that Scite of the howse nowe Commonly called or knowne by the name of Boscobell with 
thappurtenaunces scituate or beinge within the saide County of Salop And likewise All 



Brewode Priory. 



221 



that Graunge Ferme or tenement called NechoUs with thappurtenaunces scituate er beinga 
in ye parishes of Tonga and Donuington in the said County of Salope And all the howses 
buildings harnes stables Courts backsides gardens orchards dovecotes hoppyarde laudg 
meadowes leasov/es pastures feedings waters ponds fishpooles profitts Commodityes services 
Rents quitrents Reversions and all and singular other the hereditaments with their and 
every of their appurtenauuces vuto ye said Mannor or dissolved Monastery Priory Nunnery 
house or Church Graunge Farme or tenement in any wise bolonginge or appertayninge or 
now or late vsed occupied or injo.yed with ye same or is knowne reputed or taken to be part 
or parcell thereof for and duringe the natiirall life of him ye said John Gyffard without the 
let molestacon disturbance hinderauuce or denvall of him the saide John &c. &c. 



Brewode Priory. Dissolution of Monasteries. White Ladys. 

BREWODE PRIORY. 
Hereafter ensueth the names of all and every suche Person and Persons as was by 
Thomas Bigg Doctor in the Lawe and William Cavendyshe Auditors Commissioners 
appoynted by the kyng our Soveraigne Lorde for the dysolucon of these Monasteryes 
followeng by them indiferently chosen and sworne of and for the valuyng and ratyng and 
appresyng of all and singlor the Gooddes and Chatells cumyng and being found at the 
Surrenders taken in the same late dysolyed Monasteries and priories within the Countie 
of Stafford the names as well of the seyd Howses as of the Persons so sworne foloweng 
hereunder wryghten in order. 

That ys to say 



Brewode 



John Browne 
William Barnes 
Henry Halt 
Thomas Wills 



Jur 



Richard Wayt 
John Baker 
William Turner 
William Atwill 



Jur 



John Shyrborne 
Jhones Clarke 
Anthony Palmer 
George Wilkayns 



Jur 



(Hereafter folowyth all suche parcells of implements or 
houshold Stuff Corne Catel Ornements of the Church and 
such other lyke founde within the late priory ther at the tyme 
of the dissolucon of the same House Solde by the kyngs 
Commisioners to Thomas Gyfforde Esquire. 



The 
Churche 



( Fryst one Table of Alebaster owlde formes and Settes 2 \ 
J Particions of Carvyd Woodepavyng of the Church and Quere [ 
[ 28 panes of Glas and one masboke j 

I Item 2 payr of grene Dornyx Westments i olde Cope of I 

Sendall one Serples i Altercloth and i Towell i litell Bell 
I and a Sensure of latynne I 

Item 3 panys of Glasse and 2 long Formes soulde for 



■j Item ther Remeyneth unsolde in the Stepul 3 Bells., 



The 
Vestrye 

The 

Chapter 

House 

Bells in the 
StepuU 

The Hale 

The 
Parlore 

The Cheffe 
Chamber 

The Baylyffs 1 
Chamber ( 

The j Item 2 ale tubbs i oulde chest i borde i table clothe and 2 
Buttery t candle stykys of latten 

] Item 2 dressyng bordes 2 stoles i forme i ladder i (blank) of 
The Kechyn | salt 4 porrengers of peuter 4 platters 2 saucers and 2 bras- 



Item there 2 Tabulls and a Forme soulde for | 

Item I foldyng Tabull i forme i chayre i Cubborde ) 
and the hangyngs of payntyd Clothe / 

Item one fetherbedd 3 oulde Coverletts i oulde blanket! "\ 
I Tester of whyght Lynen Clothe 2 bedstedds 2 formes i I 
Cobborde one Joynt Cheyre 2 oulde Coffers i Boulster 2 { 
pyllowis and 4 payre of Shetts J 

Item one mattres i coverlet one blanket and one axe {■ 



pottes . 



The Larder | Item one great chest i troffe and 2 little barrels | 

Item 5 tubbs i Keler i aide tubbe i olde table i olde whete') 
and one chese presse ) 



The brew- 
house 

The Yelyng 
house 



i2d. 



i3d. 

as. 



lad. 
13d. 

6d. 
i6d. 



I 

■} Item 3 colyng ledes z brasse pannes and 7 olde tables j- 5s. 



222 



Brewode Priory, 



The 

Boultyng 

house 

The Ches- 
lofte 

The 
Kylhouse 

Grayne 

Catell 

Waynes 

Heye 

Plate 
soulde 

Dette 
Receyved 



Rewardes 
gyvene to 

the late 

Abbes and 

the Convent 

ther at yer 

Departure 

Rewardes 

gyvene to 

the Servants^ 

ther at theyr" 

lyke 
Departure 



I Item 3 troffes i watering fate i boultyng Huche, one bushell 
and 2 tables soulde for 

J Item 2 little tubbes 2 cheese rakkes 2 charnes i lytell whele 
\ and 2 shelves 

J Item 1 Hercloth and i ladder hangyng upon the Walle of ye 
I seid house 

( Item one Quarter of Whete 6s. 2d. quarter of Monck Come 
( 8s. one Quarter of Ottes 2od. a Quarter of pese 2s. 8d. in all... 

I Item one horse 4s. soulde to the seid Thomas 

I Item I wayne and i Dungcarte sould for 

I Item for 10 lode of Hey 

Item soulde to George Warren i Chales and 3 sponnys all 



8d. 



lid. 



whytt weing 8 ounces at 3s. 4d. the ounc . 

Item Reseyved of an olde dett dwe to ye seid late Priorye., 



The Sume totall of all the Guddis of thys seid late ] 
Priory with 26s. 8d. for Dett receyvyd and 26s. 8d. 
for Plate J 



J 

!• i8s. 4d. ex 

I 4S. 

I i6d. 

I 15s. 

j 26s. 8d. 

!■ 26s. 8d. 
£7 6s. id. 



Fyrst to Isabel Launder 40s. 

Item to Cristabell Smith 20s. 

Item to Alice Beche 20s. 

Item to Felix Baggshawe 20s. 



Item to William Parker Chapelen 30s. 

Item to Robert Baker 13s. 4d. 

Item to Margarett Burre 2s. 

Item to Thomas Bolde 3s. 

Item to William Morre 2S. 6d. 

Item to Thomas Smith los. 

Item to Ketcryn Slate 13s. 4d. 

Item to Phillip Duffelde 4s. / 

Item in Cates boughte and spent at the tyme of the 
Comissioners being there for the Dissolucon of the said late 
Priory and for the saffe kepyng of the Gudds and Catell there 
founde duryng the said tyme 



- 78s. 2d. 



I The Sum of the payments aforeseid is | 

And so remayneth in the seid Com[m]issioners handes for 1 
they have payd more then they for the Goodes of the seid [■ 
late Priory have receyd by • 

Memorandum that the Prioress of the seid late Priory 
hath receyveyd of Michaelmas qrth rents due to the seyd 
Priory thes parcells folowyng And none other as sche sayth. 

Fyrst of Mr. Thomas Gyfford for blythebery for halfe a yere .... 

Item of Mr. Thomas Moreton for le feldes for half a year 

Item of T Tunks for the Rents of hys farme for halfe a yere... 

Item of John Penford for half a yeres Rent 

Item of Thomas Pitt for a hole yeres rent 

Item of Cristofer Alatte for one quarters rente 

Summa £4 3s. 4d. 

Memorandum that ther ys owyng to the said late Priory of 
Michaelmas rente by the Confession of the foreseid theis 
parcells. 

Fyrst of Barnaby Clarke for 3 yeres quietrente 

Item of the Balyff of Tonge for i yeres rente 

Item of William Wydowes for i yeres rente 



60s. 

£11 i8s. 2d. 
£4 12s. id. 



33s. 4d. 

26s. Sd. 

6s. 8d. 

8s. 

2S. 

6s. 8d. 



izd. 



Sir Arthur Vernon's Will. 223 

Item of the Lordshype of Brome for i quarters rente gs. 

Item of Richard Gowgh for halfe a yeres rente 8d. 

Item of Mathew Parker for halfe a yeres rente ijd. 

Item of John Staunton for halfe a yeres quietrente 6d. 

Item of Blakeman for halfe a yeres rente lad. 

Item of Whytemore for 2 yere 6d. 

Item of Thomas Johnson for halfe a yeres rente 3d. ob 

Item of the Churchwardens of Brewode for 3 yeres rente 3d. 

Item of Robert Bromhall for halfe a yeres rente 4d. 

Summa 34s. gd. ob. 

Pencions and Porcions grauntyd and allotted to the late 
Prioresse and Convent there by the seid Commissioners. 

Fyrst to Isabell Launder late Prioresse 66s. 8d. \ 

Item to Cristabell Smyth 33s. 4d. | ,„ <r oj 

Item to Alys Beche 33s. 4d. f ^^ °^- ^'^ 

Item to Felix Baggeshawe 33s. 4d. ' 

[British Museum. Additional MS. 6714, f. 183; and Additional MS. 6698, f. 248b.] 



Sir Arthur Vernon's Will. 

Prerogative Court of Canterbury. 

Book, Holder, folio 35, b. 
Testamentum Domini. In the name of God amen, 

Arthuri Vernon, In the yere of our Lord mt vc and xvij. The last day 

of Septembre, 
In the yere of the Reign of Kyng Henry the viijth the viijth yere, I Sir .\rthur Vernon 
prest hole of niynde and of body being in clene lyfe at the making of this my last will and 
in good prosperiiie often tymes thinking of this wreched lyfe seyng by circute of daies and 
revolucion of yeres the day of deth to fall which nothing ly\ing may passe therfor of this 
helefull mynde thus I make my testament. First I bequeth my soule to god almighty and 
to all the holy company of hevyn and to the lilissed saint Petyr and saint Mighel and to 
be defended ayenst all wyked spirits. Item I bequeth my body to be buried in the same 
pisshe church where I dye and to have a stone what myn executours thinke best fur me 
and my picture drawen dierupon and for making o;|iny stone I bequeth xxxs. and for asmoche 
as with good prayers and almes dedes the soule is delivered fro everlasting deth and payne 
therfor I will that at the day of my burying I may have a trentall songe for my soule my 
fadre soule my moder soule and for all my brethern and sustern soules and for all xpen soules 
yi it may be. And of this my testament aforewriten and after to be truely doon I ordeyn 
constitue and make my true executours my brother John Vernon Rauf Gilbert and 
Thomas Wagstaff my servants the which executours all thinges aforewriten and after 
shewed truely to be executed after myn entent in this my wille siiewed as they will answere 
afore the high Juge at the dredfull day of Dome. Item I will that at the day of my burying 
ev'y poren man that Cometh have a peny and a lofle to pray for my soule and the soules 
afore rehersed yf it may be at that tyme and yf not therefore to tarye unto the tyrae 
convenient. .Vnd yf my goods will not reche to that I will that myn executours do as 
they thinke most best for me. Also that I have Torches and Candelles about myn herse 
the day my burying as myh executours thinke necessary for me. Item to ev'y preest that 
comyth to my burying and saith masse for my soule and the simles afore rehersed shal- 
have iiijt/ ev'y clerk id. Item I will that at my moneth mynd there be songe a trentall 
for my soule and the soules atore rehersed and for asmoche as this my will may be taken 
doubtfull in many poynts therfore I will that yf any ambiguite contrsriositie or mys- 
rehersall cr doubtfulnes be founden in this my last will I.wille therefore that it becorrecte 
by one or ij ot myn executours also my reyment I will that it be evynly devided betwixt 
Raut Gilbert and Thomas Wagstaffe my servants and also yf they be good of demenure 
toward my brother John I will that they have xlj/j. evynly devided betwene them and 
their wages to be content in the said sume aforewriten. Andy! the be not of good demenure 
I will that they be at my brother John Verncn limitacion. Also all my good not bequethed 
my will perfourmed I will my brother John Vernon have them. Also the Reversion 
which I had besett me bv mv fader bequest I will my brother John Vernon have it. Item 
I will that my brother John Vernon have all my naprye ware and also all my beddinge and 
my bolts wt the chests and cofiers. Item I will that Robert Xeyll have for paying of subsidies 
and Dymes and other ducties which I have cawsed him to pa\e xlj/i and to be forgevyn 
of him for it. Writen the day and yere aforsaid. These beign w itncsse Sir Roger Lyne 
maister Harry Bullock uiaist' Harvy Sir Thomas Rowson and maister Browne. Item I 



224 Church Goods — Henry VII. to Sir Henry Vernon. 

will tkat my Skarlet gown and my murrey gowne and my Jaket of velvet may paye suche 
dettes to the Church of Scheie and of Bogeston yf there be any asked as owght to be 
And all other stuffe of silk or velvet I will my brother John Vernon have it. Item I will 
that all my linnen clothes my brother John Vernon have them and all my plate of silver 
Also I will that x marcs be distributed for to pray for my soule and thesoules afore 
rehersed that it be distributed in the parishe of Scheie. 



Church Goods at the Dissolution. 
donyngton. 

This byll indented mad the xvijth day of May in the seventh yere of the Raigne of or 
most dread sov'aign lorde Kyng Edward the syith betwyxt Andrewe Corbett Rycc 
Manweryng Knyghtes Rycc Cornwall & Rycc Newport esquires on then ptie & Rycc Hyll 
pson Thomns Boscoke & John Dossett church wardens on thother ptie wittnessith that we 
the sayd Rychard Thomas & John do bynd o' selves by these p'sentes to save kepe 
unstollen unsold & unembesellyed one chalys of sylv' withe pattent there unto ij smale 
bell[s] nowe remaynynge within the church & steple of Donygto' as we wyll answere 
therefor In wyttnese wherof we have putte or handes the day ic. >ere above sayd. 

Rychard Hyll Thomas Bosschock. 



Church Goods, Salop. 

TONGGB. 
Thes byll Indentyd made the xxvth of Male in the vijth yer of the reygne of our moste 
dreade Sov'aygne lorde Kyng Edward the syxte betwyxt Andrewe Corbett Rychard 
Cornewaylle &. Rychard Newport on thon ptyee & Robt Foster Roger Wysston & lienrye 
Harryson on the other ptyee wyttnessythe that wee the sayd Robt Roger & Henrye do by 
these p'sens confesse & bynd our selvys to saive <S: kepe unstollen unsolde & unembessallyd 
three bellys att these p'sens remaynyng wythin the steeple of Tonnge & in wytnes heroff 
wee have putte our handes the yeer & dey above seyd. 

Robert Forster. 



Henry VII. to [Sir] He [nry Verno] n, knight. 

1492, April 13. Sheen. — " Trusty and right welbeloved we grete you wele, ascertaynyng 
you that for the singulier trust that we have in your approved trouth and wisedom, we 
have appoincted you to be Comptroller of houshold with our derest son the Prince, 
entending by Goddes grace that he shal procede to the begynnyng of the same the vij. day 
of May next commyng. Wherfor we pray you that ye wil fully dispose you to take uppon 
you the said rowme and auctoritie, and to yeve your attendance in be begynnyng of the 
said housholde for the good ordering and establisshing of the same, desiring you that 
somwhat bifor the said tyme ye wol addresse you unto us to thentent that uppon con- 
vercacion we may shewe unto you our minde concernyng the premissez more at large, not 
failling herof in any wise, as we specially truste you. Yeven under our signet at our 
manoir ot Shene the xiij day of April the seventhe yer of oure reigne." Sign manual. 



Henry VII. to Sir Henry Vernon, knight. 

[1492?] April 26. Greenwich. — " Trusty and welbeloved we grete you wel, lating you 
wite that as wel by our espies that we have in the parties beyond the see, as othrewise, 
we undrestandc that our ennemyes of Fraunce prepaire theynisilt to do all the hurt and 
annoyance that they can compasse and devise to this our reame and subgiettes of the 
same, for the [resi]sting and subduying of whoes malicious purpos we shal, with G&ddes 
grace sufiisantly provide and putte us with a good multitude of our subgiettes in defensible 
redinesse for the same entcnt, which can in noo wise be doon without grete substance of 
good. Wherfor we holding for undoubted that ye here a singulier tendrenesse to suche 
thin^esasconcerne the suretic and universal vveale and trancjuilliteof our saide reame and 
subgiettes desire and hertily praye you that ye wil lene unto us tlie somme of an cli, and 
to sende it unto oure Tresourer of England by some trusty servauntes of yours to thentent 
that theye rnayc rccyve bills of hym for contentaccion therof ayen. And we feithfully 
promitte you by these oure lettres that ye shal have repayment or suffisant assigmnent 
upon Die half quinzame payable at Martilmasse next commyng, wherunto ye aiaye 
verraily truste, wherinye shal nut oonly doo unto us thing of [grete ?J and singulier pleasir, 
but also cause us to have you therfor moore specially recommended in the [hojnor of oure 
grace in such thinges as ye shal have to poursue unto us heraftre. Yeveii undre our signet 
at Qur manoir at Grenewichc the xxvj day of ApriL'" Sign manuaL 



Henry VII. to Sir Henry Vernon. 255 

Henry VII. to Sir Henry Vernon, knight for his body, 
Controller with the Prince. 

1492, August 31. Windsor. — "Trusty and welbeloved we grete you wel. And inasmoche 
as we have appointed you to be Comptrollour of houshold with cure derrest son the 
Prince, and that we departe in all hast on oure voyage over the see, we therfor desire and 
praye you that ye wol geve your personall attendance uppon our said derrest son for the 
tyme we shalbe out of this oure reame, and that ye faille not herof, as we truste you. 
Yeven undre our signet at our Castel of Windesor the last day of August, the viijth yer of 
ourregne." Sign manual. Signet 



Henry VII. to Sir Henry Vernon, Controller of the 
Household of the Prince. 

[1494 ?] June 2 Sheen. — " Trusty and welbiloved we grete you wele. And for the true 
and acceptable service that ye have doon to our derrest son the Prince we can you special 
thanke, and considre wele that by your wise and poletike nieanes his houshold is the 
better conducted and governed, which is greatly to your laude a praise. ,\nd therfore we 
pray you to dispose you to contynue and yeve your personal attendance there at such 
seasons as the counsail of our said son shal thinke necessarie and expedient, for then- 
creace ot your said thanke. And elles we must of urgent necessite appointe con of our 
hede officers to exercise your saide rowme, and calle you to serve us in his stede. Veven 
undre our signet at our manoir of Shene the secund day of Juyn." Sign manual. 



Henry VII. to Sir Henry Vernon, one of the knights for 
his body, and Treasurer of Household with the Prince. 

N.Y. March 2. London. — "Trusty and welbeloved we grete you wele. And for certain 
causes and matiers concernyng as wele our derrest sonne the Prince as youreself, we wol 
and desire you to comme unto us some day this Lent tyme, and that ye ne faille [so] to 
doo in any wise, as we trust you. Yeven undre our signet at oure Citie of London the 
ijde day of Marciie." Sign manual. 



The Townsmen of Walsall to Sir Henry Vernon, 

N.Y. January i8. — We have a chaplain and true bedeman of yours amongst us. whose 
name is Sir John Staple. We hear that you intend to take him away from us. He has 
always been ready to maintain the service of God. He has caused charity amongst the 
people, where else there would have been much discord and debate. He has kept a school, 
and taught the poor children of the town of his charity, taking nothing for his labour. 
He has done many more good deeds, specially to the poor people. That he should thus 
depart were the greatest loss to the poor town of Walsall that it has ever had by the 
departure of any priest. If you will suffer him to continue with us, you shall have the 
prayers of him and of us all. " Wryttan [at] Walsale the morou next after Scent Antonyys 
day be the cowencelles of the mere masters of the yeld (guild) and the xxiiijt' with all the 
best of the commyns asemblede at the same tyme, and selyd with the commyn seall o 
the towene.' 



Henry VII. to Sir Vernon, knight for his body. 

[1503,] May 6. Richmond. — "Trusty and welbiloved we grete you wele. And forso- 
mouche as according to the treatie and convencion passed bitwene us and oure derrest 
sonne the King of Scottes, and of late at his special desir and instance, we have ordeyned 
and determyned oure moost dere doughter the Quene of Scottes to be delivered into 
Scotland for her traduccion and the solempnisacion of matrimony betwixte the said King 
and hir by the furst day of August next commyng, We willing as wel for the perfourmance 
of cure promyse made in that behalve, asalsofor thehonnourof usand this oure realme oure 
said doughter to bee honorably accompanyed as in like caas it hath been hertofor accustumed 
not oonly for hir conveyance thoroughoute oure said reame and at hir entree into Scot- 
land, but also during the feest and solempnisacion of the said mariage, have appoincted 
you amonges othre nobles and estates to yeve youre attendance upon hir at hir commyng 
to oure Citie of Yorke, and from thens to contynue the same til the said mariage and feest 
bee doon and finisshed. Thefor we wol and desire you to prepaire youre self for this 
entent with as smal a nombre as ye shal thinke convenient, soo that ye maye bee in 



226 



Miss Lane to the Queen. 



arredinesse to entre into your said attendance upon oure said doughter at hfr coniniyng 
to Yorke forsaid, withoute any youre failing as ye tender the honnour of us and of tliis our 
reanic. Over this insomoche as it is thought unto us and oure counsaill inconvenient and 
not mete that any mornyng or sorofull clothingcs shuld be woran or used at suche noble 
triumphes of mariage, We therfor vvol and desire you tattende upon oure saide 
doughter in youre best arraye as in suche caas it apperteigneth. Yeven undre our signet 
at oure nianouur of Richemounte the vjth day of May." Sign manual. Fragment of 
signet. 



Miss Lane to the Queen. 

I was infinitly glad to have the honour to reseave a letter from your Mal'e for it was 
reported here that you ware not well and indeed I was in much pane till I heard from my 
cosen Broughton, God be praysed the King is well out the Duke is in phisick still and soe 
is the Duches she is very gratious to me but I doe not goe oft up to wait on her. The 
King has now given order for the setling of a thousand pounds a yeare upon me I am very 
much bound to his ma''« for his gratious favour to me I hope in time he will doe what is fit 
for ma'ies to e.\pect from it tys the opinion of many heare that your mat'* should com into 
England without an invitation but I confes I cannot tell how to advise your mat''^ in this 
point I think your matie the best judg on it your selfe v^hat is most proper for you to do, if 
I may be so happie as to know when your matia will come I will not faile to paye my duty 
in waiting of your matie for noe soule a live is more 

Your ma''f8 most obedient most humble servant 

J. LANE- 



Soulh 



East 



fO 



10 ]J 



9 12 



p 



14 16 



17 19 



fS 20 



West 



i INSCRIPTION 2 

North 



See Pase 67 



ADDENDA, bRRATA. &c. 

Page 15. — Lieut, -Col. should be Col. 

Page 45. — Last line — aucerlis should be Saucerlis. 

Page 88. — The * and f Notes should be on page 87. 

Page 108. — Page 60 should be 83. 

Page 132. — Thomas Row should be How. 

Page 133.— Ati^ should be ali(a)s, 

Page 142. — Idd's hall should be Ida's hall. 

Page 143. — Line 11, uiJiere not when. 

Page 163. — Dorothy Giffard, 1634 "ot 634. 

Page 179. — The *note is on page iSo. 

Eage 180. — The second * note refers to Col. Carlis. 

Page 182.— King Charles II. advanced Lord Newport to a Viscountcjr 
in 1675 ; the Earldom of Bradford was given by William and Mary in. 
1694- 
Page 206. — Lech should be Gech. 
Page 2o5. — Peshali should be Peshal. 

Page 208. — The additional notes as to the Nunneries were subsequently 
printed. See pages 209 and 210. 

Page 213. — The note (a) to Robt de Pennebrugge deed should have been 
a footnote, not to have been printed as part of the deed. 

Page 214.T— Note (a) 1409, not 1499. 

The View of the Pulpit (page 26) shews position it occupied before the 
Restoration in 1892. 

The View of Stanley Tomb (page 20) shews position it occupied before 
the Restoration iji 1892. 

Richard de Pembruge, i.e., Sir Richard de Vernon, the 
Speaker. 



CL^ 2.^S) ^S) C?A£) 
6 I'lb 'a-TvG'R) GYi) 



eA5 eAS) eA!5 QA9 
G"/?) GYS GYc) GYS 



.'' ^ ^\ ^^ >'t^ ^H ^^i"^ »^^ ^'l^ »^!^ »^H »^H »'!^ »^I^ >^H^«'- 

Q^'-i:' d'-s (^3 eAS exs eA5 qas qaq eAS eJ^ e>^ gad gas) 

6Tt) G (^ GYd GYc) GYc) GYS GYD GY§ GYci GYO GYD GY^ GYd 



INDEX 



Page 

Abertanat 17 

Acorn Lodge 140 

Acreage 5 

/Eolian Harp 160 

Albrighton 51, 136, 139, 195 

Alderton 131 

Alditha 196 

Ale and Alehouses 105, 115, 128, 152 

Almshouses 25,95,116 

Altar 55, 85 

Ambling Meadows 132, 147 

Andrews, Bemjamin 150, 151 

Ankerwicke 190 

Appuldercombe, Heiress of 16 

Aqualate 189 

Architectural Details. ..22, 23, 26, 30, 43, 
47. 53. 54. 57. 66. 73. 77, 78, 96, 108, 109, 

no, 156, 157, 200 

Armour 40,41,48,58,60,65 

Arms... 33, 34, 36,45. 46, 47. 48, 54 63, 66, 

67, 80, 86, 87, 115, 130, 156, 157, 159, 160 
Arms, Shields of — 

Bermingham 34, 36 

Camville 46,48, 55 

Childe 86, 87 

D^la Here 78 

Doyle 86 

Dureversale 45 

Durant 89 

English 86 

Fitzalan 78 

Forester 14 

Forster 130 

Harries 80 

Isle of Man 67 

Latham 67 

Lingein, Lingayne, or Lingaine 34, 78 

Ludlow 34.37.45. 55. 63, 67,78 

Ouldbeif 86,87 

Peche or Peeke 87 

Pembruge ... 34, 36, 37, 45, 48, 54, 55, 67, 78 

Peter de Sancerlis 45 

Pype 45. 48, 55. 59. 67. 78 

Reymes or Rheims 54 

Royal 25 

SkeflSngton 86, 87 

Stanley 67 

Strange 67 

Talbot 48, 54 

Trumpington 55 

Trussel 34, 78 

Vernon... 33, 34, 36, 45, 47, 48, 54, 55. 59, 

63, 67, 78 

Warren 67 

Willoughby of Middleton 79 

VVilloughby of Parham 79 

VVylde 80 

Umfr€ville 67 

Unknown 46,47,67,80,86,87,92 

Arthur Tudcr, Prince ... 47, 48, 49, 56, 99, 224 



Page 

Arundel 9,176,177,217 

Aston, Roger de 214 

Audley Barons 71 

Aumbry 57 

Babyn, John 29 

Baddeley, John 151 

Bagot, John 195 

Bagots Park 190 

Baiiifie of Tong 206, 222 

Bakewell 12, 59 

Barbour, Richard 218 

Barretors or Scolds 128 

Beaufoy 89, 155 

Bedall, Roger 148 

Beighterton, or Betterton 145 

Belfry^ 29, 73, 99, 224 

Belle Isle 159 

Bells, Bell-founders, and Ringers ... 101, 

102, 103, 224 

Bell, "The Great" 22,49,99,100,103 

Belmeis or Beaumes, Alice de 10 

„ Bishop de 2.135 

,, „ Philip de 10 

,, ,, Ranulph de 10 

,, „ Richard de L ... 10,20 

„ „ Richard de II 10 

,, „ William de 10 

,, ,, William de alias La 

Zouche 2, 10 

,, „ Robert de Belesme 10 

,, „ Hughde 196,213 

,, ,, John de 197 

Benet, Joy 215 

Bennett, George 218 

Bentley j8o 

Bermingham, Matilda de 12 

Beresford, Jas 152 

Bishops 10, II, 166, 195, 198 

Bishop's Marks 56,76 

Bishop's Wood 10, 139, 140, 195 

Black Ladies... 125, 139. 199, 200, 201, 205, 210 

Blodwell 16, 17 

Blount, Thos 178 

Blymhill 128,132,195 

Bobbington Church 216 

Boden 19 

Body-ring (iron) 114 

Bordesley Abbey 148 

Boscobel 144- 178,203 

Bosschock, Thos 223 

Botfield, Mr 97, 106, 144, 178, 192, 203 

Boundary 132, 134, 135, 136, 151 

Bourne, W 152 

Bradford, Countess of 13. '4. »o« 

Earls of. 12, 13, 16, 23, 52, 

100, 140, 147, 151, 153, 182, 184 

Bradley, Miss 177. '80 

Braose de 11 

Brasses 43, 45, 55, 84, 85, 86, 87, 96 

Brewers Oak 189 



Index. — continued. 



22g 



Page 
Brewood, Brewdc.io, ii, 12, 136, 145,194, 

196, 205, 2ig 

Brewood Forest 99, 139, 140, 178, 189, 

195 209, 210 

Bridgernan, Lady Anne 16 

Bishop 13, 18 

„ Hon. Beatrice Adine 15 

,, Lady Florence K 15 

„ Hon. Florence Sibell 15 

Col. Hon. F. C, M. P.. ..15, 19, 153 

,, Frederick Paul 15 

„ Hon. and Rev. Canon... 39, 130 

Hon. Mrs. F. C 15 

Hon. Helena Mary 15 

Hon. Henry George 15 

,, Humphrey H. 15 

Lady Mabel Selina 15 

„ Hon. Margaret Alice 15 

„ Hon. Orlando 15 

„ Sir Orlando 13, 17, 18 

Hon. Richard O. B 15 

,, Reginald Francis 15 

,, Selina Adine 15 

Brid, John 212 

Bristol, Marchioness of 14 

Brockhurst i8g 

Brodmore 145 

Brokes, John 216 

Bryery Hurst 132, 140 

Buccleuch, Duke of 15 

Buckeridge, Chas. Thos. Margtta.Eliz.... 

19, 94, 96, 163 

Bullock, Harry 223 

Buckingham. Duke of 175, 176 

Buildwas Abbey 10 

Burials 162, 163 

Burlington 7,133,141 

Burnal, Lord of '„ 72 

Bush Inn 153 

Butters Brook 151 

Bysshop, John 213 

Calais, Treasurer of 37 

Camp of Refuge g 

Camville '. 46, 48 

Cannock 196 

Cannon Ball Marks 105 

Carnac, C. R ig 

Carved Stone (early) 

Carr, Rev. Canon igi, 192 

Castle Bromwich 16 

Castle, Tong ... .11, 49, 50, 83, 90, 91, 137, 153 

Celcilia ig6 

Celerer 124 

Chairs, Old Oak 85 

Challenor, Robert 217 

Champions 149 

The King's 59, 60 

Chapel, The Lady 23, 3*5, 55, 57, 73 

]„ Golden... 36, 53, 2 

Chaplet of Roses 11, 32, 147 

Charities 83, 97 

Charles I Frontispiece, 93, 174, 175, 182 

Charles n....8i, 89, 114, 137, 141, 178, 181, 

183, 186, 201 

Charlett, Mr 187 

Childe, Mrs. Baldvvyn 192 

Chillington 179, 195, 209, 210 

Choir Screen 73, 76 

Stalls 74, 75, 76 

Christian, H.R. H. Princess 15, 101 

Qhrysom's, St. Cenietery 104 



Page 
Chudleigh, Miss (Duohess of Kingston) ... 

12, 22, 166 

Churchwardens' Accounts 97, 100 

Ciborium 82, 83, 108, 115 

Cilin-ap-y-Blaidd Rhud 17 

Cirencester 181 

Clarence and Avondale, Duke of... 101,175, 176 

Clarendon, Lord 189 

Clarke, Rev. H. C 19, 100, 216 

Clay, W 27,107 

Clergy, Clerks, Chaplains of Tong 19 

Clews, Mr 152 

Clockmaking 151 

Cocking 152 

Codsall Wake 152 

CoflSns 64, 159 

Coiffure 42 

Coins 25 

Cole, Mr 47, 55, 65, 95, 116, 124 

Colemere, W. Esq 132, 144 

College 19, 21, 36, 38, 54, 83, 96, 111 to 124, 

216, 217 

College Chapel 124 

Commandments 75 

Communion Plate 83, loy 

" Contoise" 31 

Consecration Marks 55, 56, 76 

Constable's Office 44, 45, 60, 128 

Convent Lodge 156 

Coppice Green 134 

Coracle 149^ 150 

Corbet, Andrew 224 

Cornwall, Rycc 223 

Coronation-day 52, 60, 72 

Cotton, John 132, 133, 218, 219 

Cotton, Wm ig 

Court of Tong n, 212 

Cow Haye 132, 141 

Cowper, Earl igo 

Craig, Mr. Jas 185,189 

Cressage 192 

Crest 73 

Crompton, Thomas 217 

Cromwell, Oliver 81, 105, 174, 303 

Cromwell, Thomas 162,201 

Crosses 55, 56, 74, 103 

I, (Rood) 74 

Crowther 152 

Crucifix 74 

Cublesdon 32, 39, 218 

Cummings, Mr 185 

Cynllaeth 17 

Daintry, John 218 

Dale, Mr 187, 188, 191 

Dalkeith, Earl of 15 

Dame Joan 201 

Darner, Hon. Mrs. Dawson 169, 171 

Daret 175 

Darfield 72 

Daunsey, Dame Elizabeth, Lady... 86, 87, 88 

„ Sir John 87 

Deacon 74 

Dead Woman's Grave 127 

Dean or Den 54 

Dene, Beatrice 198 

De Belmeis See B 

De Bunsen, Rev. H. G 133, 184, 188 

Deeds, Ancient 146, 211 to 226 

Definitions 8, 10, ai, 29, 41, 42, 45, 85, 88, 

103, 126, 127, 134, 138, 139—141, 150 
De Hugefort 146, 198 



230 



iNrveX. CONTINUED. 



Page 

"Dennis Field" 132, '.i39 

Derby, Earls of 64, 65, 67, 72, 179 

The 147 

Devonshire, Duchess ot 171 

Digby, Sir Kenelm 6g, 172, 173, 174 

Digby, Vcnetia See Stanky 

Domesday 7, 8, 10, 20 

Donnington 94, 124, 133, 148, 195, 227 

„ Monks Pasturage at 12 

Dove-cote ..: 10,11, i6o 

Draycot... 44 

Dress ... 46, 50, 51, 55, 59, 65, 79, 124, 131, 168 

Dropping Well 160 

Duchess of Teck. H.R.H loi 

Dugdale, Sir William 32, 33, 68, ^ 

Dunham, Massey 72 

Dunster, Mr. Chas 187 

Durant family 91 

Durant, Edwin Mr 155 

F. O. Mrs 154 

G 75,89,116 

George ; 12, 91, 155 

,, George Chas. Selwyn 12,91,155 

„ George Stanton Eld 12,155 

,, Mr. ... 65, 75, 82, 90, 108, 158, 159, 16: 

„ Mrs. Celeste 91, 155, 160, 171 

„ Richard 89 

Dureversale, Wm 44.45 

Dymoke, Sir Edward 6i 

„ Margaret (See Vernon) 

„ Sir Robert 58, 59, 60 

Easthope 14 

East Window 77 

„ „ of Chapel 43 

Eclipse 164 

Edric 45 

Edward, The Confessor 8 

Edward VI 19. 74^ "5 

Edwin, Earl 8, 9 

Effigies 29,40,41,42,64,65 

Einion-Efell 17 

Eiton, Jonn 36,217 

Eiton, Sir Richard 19, 216 

Elcock, Ralph 19, 96 

Eld, Miss 91 

Englefield, Isabella 36, 216 

,, John 217 

Ercall, William de 198 

Ernulf, Chaplain 19 

Evans, Thomas Mr 148, 191 

,, Miss Francis 188, 191 

,, Lady 190 

Evelith 131, 180 

Eynsham 64 

Eyton, Fulke 36, 216, 217 

,, Nicholas 36, 216 

„ Roger 217 

Factory 150 

Fair 11, 123 

Famous Ladies 166, 167, 168 

"Fermor" 138 

Figure of Priest 55 

Fisher, Lady 181 

Fisherwick 88 

Fishing 11, 147 

Fitcherbot, Esq 144 

Fitzherbert, Mrs 166, 169, 170 

„ Sir Anthony 146 

,, Thomas , 169 

William 103 

Fitzherberts 132, 188, 200, 204 



T 



Page 

Font 27 

Forest Laws 7, 14 

Forester, Edric the 45 

family 13, 107, 130, 131, 176 

,, Col. Hon. Henry Townsend ... 14 

Hon. Selina L.Weld 13 

., John 14, 176, 202 

,, Lord 13,131 

„ Richard 14, 131 

,, Robert 176, 224 

', Thomas 176 

Mary 176 

Forster, Anthony 131 

,, Humphrey 176 

,, or Forester, Isabella... 131,166, 

175- 176 

,, Thomas 19, 130, 179 

Forge, Tong 133, 142, 150, 151 

,, „ Bridge 144 

,, ,, Brook 142 

,, ,, Hammer 142 

Fortescue. Frances 72 

Fowke, William 87,88,216 

Fowl House, pyramidal 159 

Fox 23 

Frontal Pulpit 83,98 

Gailey 196,209 

Gallery 74 

Gallowses 152 

Gamble 152 

Gargoyles no 

Gerbier 175 

Giffard, Charles Mr 87, 179, 182, 194, 

196, 200, 210, 217, 218 
Giffard family... 80, 163, 179, 199, 218, 219, 220 

Giffard, Sir John 203,217 

Giffard, Sir Thos 204 

Gilbert, Ralf 222 

Gildenmorton, Manor of 112 

Glass, Stained 77, 96 

Glever, Wm 215 

Golden Chapel 22, 36, 47, 49, 53, 54 

Gospel Road, Gospel-trees 136, 144 

Granges 10, 11, 37, 123 

Grafton 51 

Greatbatch, Sam 151, 152 

Great Ness 131 

Grey, Sir Richard 63 

Groom, Rev. L zoi 

Grosvenor, The Countess 15 

Gunpowder Plot, Proclamation Tong 164, 165 

Gwenvvynwyn 17 

Griffith of Cae Howell, Kynaston, &c. 17, 18 

Griffiths, Ap Griffith 39, 127, 236 

H addon 12, 42, 45, 46, 49, 51, 63, 71, 177 

Haighway Road 152 

Hadham, Roger 213 

Haligode '. 212 

Hallelujah Victory 3 

Hall, S 19 

Hall The, Tong 160 

Hall, Thos 19 

Halston 175 

Hamilton, Duchess ot 168 

„ George 159 

Hanaper 21 

Hanbury, George 15 

Harcourt, Margery 11 

Orabel 11 

,, Wm.de 2,11,145 

Harding, Revs. G. and J 16 



Index. — continued. 



231 



Page 

Harding, Mrs 108 

Hare, Lucy 107 

Harewood, Countess ot 15 

Harlaston 52, 216 

Harlet;h, Alice 198 

H:irlewyn 212, 214 

Harpour, William le 213 

Harries, Ann 12 

Elizabeth (see Pierpoint) 12, 80 

Lady 46, 158 

Lady Eleanor 80, 82, 83, 98, 108 

„ Sir Thomas ... 12, 65, 80, 83, 92, 158 

Harrington, Lord and Lady 41 

Harrison, George 99 

Harriot or Heriot 127 

Hartley, John 153 

Harryson, Henry 223 

Hatchments 92 

Hatham 2:4 

Hatton, John 130 

Haughton i6o 

Havannah 12, 90 

Hawarden 135, 144 

Hay 14 

Heathill or de HethuU 213 

Hell Meadow 122 

Hempenstall, A 149,150 

Henry-de-Hugefort 11 

Henry 1 2,10,45 

„ HI 11, 40 

,, IV Ill, 113 

,, V 19, 113, 115 

,. VI 54 

Hengist 3 

Henry VII 59, 334, 225 

VIII 13,49,59,114,115 

Hereward 9 

Hermit of Tong 156 

Hermon 217 

Herons 153 

Hickes, Sir B 217 

Higgs, Daniel and Maria 57 

High Ercall 174 

Hilton, Robert 19 

Hodnet 43, 52, 63 

Hogs n. 147 

Holbein 114 

Holmes, George 133 

Holy Rood 74 

Holywell 3oo 

Homilies, Book of 25 

Hooker, J. S 184 

Hope, Mr. Jas 185 

Hops 115 

Horse Brook 206, 210 

Horse Shoes Inn 153 

Horton, John 133, 151 

Hospital 95 

Hotspur 38, 72 

How, Mr 132, 140, 145 

Howard, Thomas 177 

,, William 177 

Roger 177 

Howe, Countess 14 

Hubbal Grange 10. 37. 137> I79> 203, 204 

Huddleston, Mr 180 

HuUe, Thos. de la 212 

Hulter, John 19 

Hugefort 11, 32, 146, 198 

Hunt, Will 164 

Hurst, A 140 



Page 

Hyde (or Yde) 210 

Hyll, Richard 224 

Hynkeley ; 214 

Idsall 19, 130, 133, 142 

Image of Blessed Virgin 11,73,147 

,, of St. Bartholomew n. 73 

lynsey. Sir Wm 217 

Inscriptions... 43, 53, 57, 63, 64, 67, 88, 91, 

93. 94. 157. 158, 159. 160. 161, 169, 173 

Isabel's, Lady, Well 140, 210 

M •. 205 

Iron Ore 143,143 

Jacks, Joyce 216 

John, King 2, ii, ig6, 205 

Jowe, John 215 

Jones, "Rosy" 151 

Jones, Mr. W 151 

Jones, Lancet 133 

Jorwerth Goch 17 

Jury 151 

Katherine of Arragon, Princess 49, 236 

Keepers' Meadows 144 

Kenyon Slaney, Lady Mabel 15 

Roberto. R 15 

Sybil 15, 149 

,, ,, Colonel, M.P 15 

Kilsall 132,135,196,215 

Kingston, Earl of, Evelyn ist Duke... 12, 

57, 82, 90, 1 16, 135, i65, 167 

Earls of 13,81,83,93 

King of the Peak 71 

Kitcat Club 167 

Knight Constable of England 44 

,, of Mawddy 17 

,, Doctor 199 

Knockyn 72 

Knoll 137 

„ Tower x6i 

Knowsley 71 

Kynaston, Humphrey 17 

„ Judith 17 

Kynton, Viscount 72 

Lascelles, Henry Viscount 15 

Lascelles, Hon. Edward Cecil 15 

Lady M. Selina 15 

Lacy, Lord of 72 

Lady Wicket Field ifg 

Lafcfve, Celeste 91, 155 

Lance no 

Lane, Mistress Jane 181,226 

Langefofot, Mawde, dau. of Sir Ralph ... 59 

Llanfyllin 127 

Lapley, and Priory... 19, 38, 112, 115, 130, 192 

Lathom, John 64,65,218 

" Lass of Richmond Hill " 170 

Lawrence, Rev. R. G 19, 133, 147 

Lawrence, Thos, 19 

Lassels, Mr 181 

Lectern 46 

Lee Court igo 

Lee, William 214 

Leofric 8 

Leekc, Rev. R. H 4(1 

Leper Well 210 

Leslie's Cavalry 141, 179 

Levison, Jone 87 

K 88 

Library, The Minister's 25,97, 106 

Lilleshall Abbey 10, 148, 210 

Little Noll 155 

Lime 146 



23- 



Index — continued. 







Page 

Lines to Bellringers 99 

Lingen, Elizabeth de (see Pembruge)... 

30. 32. 37. 38 

LinRen, Sir Raffe 30, 38 

Little Harriots Hays 127 

" Little Nell " iv. 155 

Lizard Grange 10, 11, 123, 133 

Lizard Mill 136, 142 

Lollards 113 

Long Birch 207 

Longford 83 

Long Marston 181 

Louvre 160 

Ludlow 45, 49 

,, Alice, dau. of Sir Richard de 63 

„ Benedicta de 37 

„ John 63 

„ Sir John 41.52 

„ Sir Richard, Kt 52, 63 

„ Sir Thomas 37 

Lumley, Lady Ida F. H 14 

Hon. Osbert 15 

Lusard 10 

Lye, Master John 19 

Lyne, Sir Roger 223 

Lyttletons 90 

Madeley 180 

Man, Lord of and the Isles 72 

Manners, Lady Katherine 13, 189 

,, Sir John 12,71,217 

Sir Richard 115 

Manor of Tong 105, 132, 2i2 

Manorial Courts, Leet and Baron 125, 127, 133 

Manweryng, Rycc 223 

Maps and Plans ix., x., xii., 122, 226 

Margery de Harcourt 11 

Market or Fair 11, 105, 123 

Marl 145, 146, 147 

Marlpit, Methplekes 11, 132, 145 

Marmion 59, 60 

Marriages 162 

Marrion Road 133 

Marshal of England 60 

Mary Queen of Scots 71 

Masons, R 133 

Matthews, Rogers, Esq., and Ursula 17 

Mausoleum 159 

Maypole 136, 137 

Meashill 11, 132, 139, 140, 145 

Mears, Thomas 103 

Meddings, George 153 

Meeson, George ig 

Mercia, Earls of, Morcar and Edwin... i, 8, 9 

Meredith-ap-Bleddyn 17, 18 

Merlin 5. 6. 7 

Merstone, Tliomas 215 

Mervyn, King of Powys 17 

Middleton, L^rd 79 

„ Sir Thomas 79 

Mill, the Water 11, 132, 133, 135 

Miller, The 136 

Millfield 147 

Milner, Thomas 19,162 

Minerals Leasow 139 

Misereres 74 

Mitton, Griffith 216 

Mitton, John 216 

Mohun, Lady 42 

„ Lord 72 

Molineux, W. H 19 



Page 
Monasteries, Colleges, Hospitals, 
destruction of 114, 162, 203, 207, 219, 

220, 221 

Moncreiffe, Sir Thomas 13 

Monks 75 

Montague, Mr. Edward 166, 168 

,, Lady Mary Wortley ... iv., 12, 

82, 166, 167, 168 

Montford 208, 209 

Montgomery, Earl Hugh de 10, 20 

„ Earl Roger de 9,10,20 

Montrose 178 

Montrose Lucy, Duchess of 16 

Monument, Knoll i6i 

Mountrath Diana, Countess of 16 

More, Sir Thomas 114,115 

" Morralls meicell " 139 

Morse, William, or Mosse 19, in, 116 

Mortimer, Ralph de 45 

Muckleston, J. F 19 

Murdcck, Mr 139 

Mytton, Edward, Esq 88 

„ Jane 216 

,, Joan 176 

„ John 175,216 

Thomas 18 

Mytton Family 13, 88, 216 

Nave 27 

Neachley Grange ... 15, 145, 151, 196, 218, 226 

New, Mr 177 

Newport 152, 177 

Newport, Geo. Cecil Orlando Viscount... 14 

„ Lady Anne 16 

,, Lord 174 

„ Margaret 112 

„ Sir Richard 175 

„ C. Rycc 224 

Newport Family 13, 16, 18, 52, 182, 206 

Newport, William 112 

Nether Haddon 67 

Neyll, Robert 222 

Niches 104 

North Aisle 27 

Ni'rthumberland, Earl of 72 

Norfolk, Di'ke of 176 

Norton (see Tong Norton) 11,99,212 

Norton Heath 107, 132, 141, 179 

Nuts, gathering n. i47 

Nunnery of Brewood, see Black Ladies 

Observator 191 

Office, Constable's 44.45 

Ofifoxey 137 

Old Castle 49 

Old Mill 160 

Oliver, Peter 173 

Orde-Powlett, Hon. Wm 14 

Order of the Garter 35 

Ore's Bank 140 

Ore, Thomas 105, 133, 151 

Organ 61 

Organ, Old Gothic 27,61,62,63 

Orlyngbere, St. Mary of in 

Oswestry 127 

Ownersof Tong 10,11,12,13 

Parker, John the 212 

Palfreys 147 

Parham 79 

Park (Tcng) n, 137 

Park Pale 132, 137. 140 

Parker, John le, and Cecilia 212 



Index — continued. 



m 



Page 
Parker, John, Oliver, Avice, Amore, 

Edith 212 

Patingham, Lady Ysabel of 210 

Payne, Major 91 

Paunage of Hogs 11, 147 

Peckes Ye, or Peche 87 

Pedestal 73 

Pelham, Lucy, daughter of Sir John 84 

Pembruge, Penibrugge, Penbrugge, Pem- 

brugeor Pembridge ... 2, 11, 34, 35, 45, 50 
Pembruge, Dame Elizabeth nee Lingen 

12, 21, 30, 32, 37, 39, III, 121 

,, Fulco de 1 11,121,147 

,, Fulco de II II III, 112, 

121, 147, 211, 212 

,, Fulco de III 12, 35, 213 

,, Fulco de IV. ... 12. 30, 35, 36, 

213, 214, 216 

Half-brother ot Fulco de I 11 

„ Henry 11 

Isabella 214, 215 ] 

,, Juliana 

,, Margaret 36 | 

„ Robert de 12,35,213 i 

„ Sir Fulke de ai, 30, 33, 36, 38, 39 ! 

Pencions 221 

Pendragon 3 1 

Pendrell, Penderel, or Pendrill 147, 

178, 179, 182, 192, 201, 203 

Pendrell Cave i8g 

Percy, Lady Lucy, daughter of the Duke 

of Northumberland 67,70,72 

Percy, Sir Thomas 72 

Percy, Thomas 72 

Pertry 140 

Peshall de 13, 206, 213, 214 

Pew or Peiw 126 

Peynton, T 100 

Philarchus 190 

Pierpoint 117, 152. 163, 166 

Elizabeth, daughter of Lord 
Gervasede... 12,81,82,84, 

92. 93. 97 
,, Elizabeth, daughter of VVm. 

and Elizabeth ... 84, 92. 93, 112 

,, Gervase Baron 82 

,, Gervase Lord 12, 93, 150 

„ Hon. William 12 

„ Lac'y Mary 167 

„ Robert de 

Pietier, Lewes 19, 100, 107, 133 

Pigeons 127 

Pigs 142 

Pillars 74 

Pillar of Mary 73 

Pikemere Hollow 141 

Piscina 56. 85 

Pitchford Oak 192 

Plans, see Maps 

Plate, Comnmnion 108 

Plaxtcn, Rev.G 186 

Pochards 153 

Pool cf Tone (the Great) u, I47 

Pool, Church 135 

Poole, Walter 27 

Population 152 

Porch 26 

Porlcck EflSgies 23, 48 

Pound 121 

Powis, Prince of 17 

Powys, Lord 63 



Page 

Preface to first edition 7 

Preface to second edition 6 

Pres, William de 211, 212, 213 

Prescon, Sir John 180 

Prince Arthur Tudor... 47, 48, 56, 99, 224, 225 

Prince Charles 174 

Prince Edward 11 

Prince of Wales, H.R.H. (George IV.) ... 169 

Princess Margaret 57, 227 

Prioresses 196, 197, 198, 201, 204, 205, 

206, 210, 222, 223 

Prior's Lee 142 

Priors Road 121 

Proclamation 164, 165 

Public Houses (old) 128, 153 

Pugh, Isaac 127 

Pulesdon, Roger de 213 

Pulpit 46,83 

,, or Oratory 156 

Puritans 73 

Pype, Redware 44, 46 

Pype, Sir Robert 43,44,45 

Queen Anne 79 

Queen Elizabeth 61, 65, 71, 72 

Queen Mary 61, 72 

" Queen of Love and Beauty " 149 

Queen Elizabeth of York 224 

Ralph, Mr 188 

Red House Inn 153 

Registers 19, 115, 162, lOj, 164, 165 

Restoration 24 

Rheims Abbey 54, 112, 115 

Rhys, Prince of South Wales 18 

Richard III 51, 59, 72 

Richmond 51, 72 

Richmond Park 16 

Riley 185 

Rivet Carnac, Rev. G. C ig, 46 

Rhodri Mawr 17 

Robyns, Wm 212 

Roe, Rev. John 207 

Roger, Robert 223 

Rogers, Edith 212 

Roman Road 7 

Rood Beam 30 

Rood Crass 74 

Ri'Od Loft 30,74 

Rosary Lodge iCo 

Rouen. Captain of 37 

Round House 160 

Rowena 5 

Rcwson, Sir Thos 222 

Royal Forest (Wrekin) 131, 195 

Royal Oak 178,183 

Royal Visits 49, 101 

Rubens, P. P 174, 175 

Ruckley Grange 10, 11, 12, 133 

Ruckley Wood 11 

Rudhall, Abraham 100, 103 

Kugge 196 

Rungey Hale 72 

Rupert Prince 174 

Rutland, Duke of 13, 56, 71, 82, 177 

„ Duchess of 189 

Karl of 71 

St. Barthulciniew's Day 11 

St. Leonard's Niins of, see White Ladies 

St. Denys 139 

St. Gecrge, L. H 19 

St. Paul's Cathedral 10,159 

Salden 72 



23 + 



Index — continued. 



Page 

Salter, George i33> 151 

Salter, Doctor 216 

Salter, Mrs 151 

Saltworks 148 

Sarra 196 

Sayings 152 

Scarbrough, Earl of 14 

Scott, Wm. and Elizabeth 107 

Scot, Thomas 133, 163 

Screens 28,29,73,74 

Scuddamore, Mr 148 

Seats, Old Oak 26,75,216 

Sedilia 85 

Seal 27, 121, 130, 146, 205, 213, 215, 216 

Seile 44, 224 

Serfs 8 

Seymaur, Lady Horatia 171 

Seymour, Miss 171 

Shakerley 144, 147, 196, 2')0 

Shakspearian Inscription 68 

Shumefurd iii 

Shaw, The 11, 121, 136 

Shaw, Mr. T 141 

Shaw, William ig, iii, 116, 121 

Shawfield 121 

Shaw Lane I2r, 136 

Shelton Oak 192 

Shields See Arms 

Shifnal 2, 7, 19, 124, 142, 212 

Shireford, Robert de 19 

Shottesbrook 36, 38 

Shrewsbury 49, 52, 74 

„ Abbey 10, iii 

Battle of 38 

,, Earls of (see Talbots) ... 45, 

47,48, 51, 216 

„ Great Earl 51 

"Sir" 54 

Sir Hugo 147 

SkefBngton, Cecilia 88 

„ Johanna 88 

„ John 86 

„ Sir William 88 

William 86 

Tablets 85 

Skinner, Mr 173 

Skot Thos 215 

Slaney, Elizabeth 94 

Slabs 27,28,63,200 

Small Ore's Bank 140 

Smith, Robert the ■ or Lefevre) 212 

Smith, William and Joan, The 213 

Smith, Fulk 213 

Smythe, William 169 

Smythe, Sir E 169 

Somerset, Lord Protector 115 

Southall, Wm 19 

Souling 152 

Sow and Pigs 142 

Speaker, The 37 

Spernor, Spernores, Spermore 44 

Spirit Lane 210 

S.S., Collar of 40, 42, 58 

Stained Glass 77 

Staindrop Church 41 

Stafford, Lady 131, 175, 17.7 

Staflbrd, Edward, Baron 175, 176 

„ Henry, Baron 176 

„ Roger 17C 

Stamford, Dame Margaret 204 



Page 

Stanley, Arabella, Marie, Alice and 

Priscilla 67 

„ A. P., Dean 70,71 

„ Frances 68, 72 

„ George 72 

„ Henry 67 

„ Jane Strange de Knockyn 72 

„ Lady Lucy (see Percy) 67 

„ Margaret (see^ernon) ... 12, 64, 

65. 217 

„ Petronella 68 

'„ Sir Edward ... 12,64,65,67,69, 

70, 72, 80, 173, 217, 218 
„ Sir Thomas.. 2, 12, 65, 67, 69, 70, 71, 72 

„ Strange, Lord 72 

„ Thomas (son of Sir Edward) 68, 152 

„ Tomb 64,70,174,175,226 

Venetia, Lady Digby... 68, 69, 

72, 166, 171, 172, 173, 174 

Staple, Sir John 225 

Stevenson, W 151 

Steventon, Thomas 216 

Stinking Lake 210 

Stocks 151 

Stokesay 52 

Stone Cross 144 

Stones, Robert 133 

Stoneyford 7 

Storm, &c 164 

Strange, John Lord 72 

Stratford 189 

Streetway 141 

Stubbs, Mr 188 

Sudbury 52 

Sundial 105, 151 

Swilcar Oak 190 

Swan, Walter 19 

Swynfen, Jocosa 44 

„ Margaret (see Vernon) 44 

,, William 44 

Tailor, Nichol the 152,212 

Talbot, the great Earl (Shrewsbury and 

Talbot) 48,51 

Talbot, John, 2nd Earl 47.51 

„ Lady Anne 47 

Sir Gilbert 51 

„ Sir John 51 

Tanat, Morris 17 

Tavlebois, Margaret, daughter of Sir 

'Gilbert 59 

Taylor, William 107 

Teck, H.R.H. the Duchess of ... loi, 180, 192 

Temple, the i8g 

Tetherton, James 140,151 

Thanes 7. 8 

Thonglands 3> 7 

Thoresby 81, 82 

Thorneycroft, Major 153 

Thorpe, Sir E. de 41 

Thursfield, Rev. R. P 191 

Tibshelf i97 

Tiles, Old 56.84,200 

Tilton 174, 175 

Timlct Bridge 133, 142, 144 

„ Hollowav 11.144 

„ Site for Mill 12 

Tithe Barn I37 

.. Pig 138 

Token 142 

Tomb destroyed 34 



Index — continued. 



235 



Page 
Tong, Tuange, Twanga, Thonk, Tugge, 

Thonge name of 2, 5, 7, 11 

Tong Castle (see Castle) 5, 49. 79, 82, 83, 

84, 90, 91, 27, 153, 170, 171, 174, 189 

„ Lake 128, 144, 148 

,, Norton 7, 11, 105, 107, 124, 183 

,. Park House 144 

" Tony-fire the Fagot " 131 

Tortworth 190 

Tostig 8 

Tournament 14S, 149 

Tournay 59 

Trees Famous 190, 192 

Troutbek's Heire 51 

Trussel, \fargaret 32, 38 

Trussel, Sir William 32, 36, 39 

Trusseley 216 

Trusty Dick 179, 181 

Tumulus 105 

Turner, Alice 151 

Tutbury 190 

Twickenham Park 16 

Twiss 152 

Upton 14 

Urn 158 

Vauxliall Cottage 159 

Vernon 33. 34, 38, 39, 45, 46, 49. 52, IS2 

„ Alice, daughter of John Ludlow... 63 

Arthur 19. 51. 53. 54- 55. ••!22 

„ Benedicta (wife of Speaker)37,38,4i,43 

„ Chantry See Golden Chapel 

„ Dorothy le, 71, 177, 217 

„ Edward and Margaret 63, 64 

„ George (of Hodnet) 63,177,216 

„ Henry 64 

„ Humphrey 42, §1, 63 

„ Lady Anne 47, 50 

„ Lord 64, loi 

„ Margaret. Abbess of West 

Slalling 52, 61, 201 

,, Margaret (wife of Sir Thos. 

Stanley) 12, 64. 65. 67, 72, 177 

„ Margaret (daughter of Sir Robert 

Dymoke) 57. 5^ 

„ Margaret (wife of Sir George 

Vernon) 59. 70, n 

„ Margaret (Swynfen), wife of Sir 

Wm 43,44.45 

„ Mary 52 

„ Mawde (2nd wife of Sir Geo. 

Vernon) 59, 217 

„ Richard (father of Speaker) 34,43 

112, 217 
„ Richard. Esq. ... 12, 37, 39, 51, 58, 85 

„ Sir Arthur 19, 53, 54, 55, 57, 223 

„ Sir Edward ._ 65 

„ Sir George 12,59,63,65,67 

„ Sir Harry ... 12, 46, 47, 49, 53, 54, 

36, 57. 63, 90, 100, 202, 216, 224, 225 
„ Sir John (of Sudbury) ... 64.216, 223 

„ Sir Richard 12.34,35,37.39, 

41. 52. 54, 58 112, 214, 2:5, 216, 218 

„ Sir Thomas 63.65 

„ Sir William 12,43,45146 

„ Thomas (of Houndshill) 63 

„ Thomas (of Stokesay) 52 

Vestment 97-98 20"^ 

Vestry 95.98 

" Vigil of Arms " 58 

Vivary :. 11 

Vortigern 3, 4, 5 



Page 

Waddingham 137 

Waddington M. de 192 

Wagstaffe Thos 222 

Wales. Princes of 17,18 

Walk, Dorothy Vernon's 71 

Walking the Boundaries 134, 135, n6 

Wall, Ellinor 80 

Wall, Manor of 44 

Walsall 



225 

Walter, Herbert 194 

Waltham or Walthamstow 68 

Walton, Thos. de 214 

Warde.Johnle 28,212,21^ 

Warde, Richard 19 

Wardens 19,112,116,117,123,223 

Watchman 128, 129 

Water Tilting 140 

Water Mill n 

Watling Street 7, 141 

Wedges 150 

Wells 136,140,210 

Weld (sometimes Wyld), Edward 169 

Wellington Forest 195 

Wellington, Sir Roger, vicar of 2:6 

Wemme 36 

Wenlock, Thomas 142 

West Mailing 52 

Weston-under-Lizard ... ig, 30, 49, 124, 

128, 195, 214 
Church 88, 216 

I. ,, ,, Park i3, 132, 140, 

173. 189 

Weston, De I3, '95, 198,210 

Whalebones 158 

White Ladies ... 12, 56, 86, 87, 88 98, 139, 
145, 147, 179, 189. 194, 200, 
203, 209, 218, 219, 220, 221 

"Close" 139 

White Oak 137, 139, 189, 204 

White, Winifred 200 

'tVhitgrave, Mr 180, 190, 199 

White Sitch 196 

Whytemore. John de la 196 

Whyston, Sir Nicholas de 39 

Wiche, Dame , 92 

Wigmore 11, 45 

Wilbrahams 13 

Wilkes, John 136 

William 1 9,43 

William (Parson of Tong) 19 

Willoughby, Lord 81 

., Hon. Henry 79 

Wilmot, Lord 89 

Wilson, C. T 19 

Windmill or Windrills 141 

Witnesses to deeds, and other persons 

not immediately connected with 

Tong 2i6, 218, 219, 222, 223 

Woburn 190 

Winwick 6J. 71 

Wixstone, Wm 213 

Wolsey, Cardinal 203 

Wombridge 130, 217 

Woodlands 141, 189 

Woodshawt T 100 

Wool 150 

Woolrich, James 19.115,116 

WooUey 151 

Worcester. Battle of 89,178 

Worsley. Sir Thomas 16 

Wren, Sir Christopher ., 159 



236 



Index — continued. 



Page 

Wright, Mrs 173 

Wright, Mr 202 

Wrottesley 210, 216 

Wylde, Ann (n^e Harries) 12, 79, 80, 81, 158 

„ Edmund 80 

„ or Weld, John, senior 12 

„ John, junior 12,80 

Wysston, Roger 223 

Yate, Yates, or Gate 132, 152, 203, 210, 212 

Yeanies, Mr. R. A 168 



Page 

York Parliament 12 

York. Duchess of, H.R.H 101,192 

Ysabel of Pattingham, Lady 210 

Zetland Countess of 15 

Zouche La 2, 10, 11, 32, 198 

„ „ Alan 10,11,145 

„ „ Alice II 

„ „ Roger II, 146 

„ „ William 10 

„ „ Elizabeth 197 



•I >• I* 



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France, Sweden, &c. 

It will be found of great advantage as a 
pleasant Tonic, and is exceedingly suitable for 
Sporting Flasks, and as an after dinner liqueur. 

Manufactured exclusively by 

T. SOUTHAM & SONS, 

E AND Spirit Importers, SHREWSBURY. 



Jerningham Anns Hotel 

SHIFNAL. 

g©^>IERGl'AL P-Ailllit, & P0STIiJ0 
^©BSE. 

Conveyances meet Trains at Five minutes notice. 3i^ miles from 
« — ^li^Tong Cliurch — ^U— « 

Catering for Luncheons, Dinners, Parties, &c. 

HEAD QUARTERS OF CYCLISTS TOURING CLUB. 

MRS. KENT, Proprietress. 

Telegraphic Address—" JERNINGHAM." 

BENNION & SON, 

Book?:e:lle:p^, Stationep^, 4e. , J^ewpopt, Salop. 
GOLF ! GOLF ! ! GOLF ! ! ! 

At makers' prices. 
Bennion & Son beg to call attention to their Selection of Golf Clubs: — 

SPECIAL LADIES GOLF CLUBS. LEFT-HANDED CLUBS 

Always in Stock. 

GOLF BA'LLS : " Silvertown," 12/- per dozen. Made up Balls, 6/. per 

dozen. Repairs done by competent men same day. 

Old Golf Balls made equal to new. Price List sent on Application, 

ALL REPAIRS IN FISHING TACKLE. 

Trout and Grayling Flies Tied to Pattern on shortest notice. 



TENNIS, CRKJKET, FOOTBALL, AND ALL MATERIALS FOR OUT-DOOR GAMES 

KEPT IN STOCK. 

Postal Orders promptly attended to. 



BENNION 8z SON, NHWPOI^T, 

S.\LOP. 



JX DNITT & NAUNTON. 

J^u5li8^erg' aqd j^rir|fer2; 

SHREWSBURY. 



Publishers of the 

Garrisons of ShropsMre, demy 4to. 

Castles and Old Mansions of Shropshire, demy 4to. 

Gou^h's History of Myddle, demy 4to. 

History Shrewsbury School, demy 4to. 

Walcott's Abbeys of Shropshire, demy 4to. 

He^ister Shrewsbury School, 1562—1635, demy 8vo. 

History Free Masonry in Shropshire, demy 8vo. 

Word Book, Shropshire, deHiy 8vo. 

Folk Lore, Shropshire, demy 8vo. 

Shropshire Archasologicai Society Transactions, demy 8vo. 
And many other Local Works. 

COPIES OF MOST OF THE ABOVE MAY BE OBTAINED. 



f® 



WltLIftM Howe. 

6, Chester Street, 

SHREWSBURY, 

BUILDER OF '»-^ *V * > 

CARTS, WAGGONS, LORRY S, FLOATS, dc. 

CONTRACTOR FOR 

Galvanized Iron Dutch Barns, Covered Yards, dc. 

MAKER OF 

Iron Hurdles, Continuous IroM Fencing, and all kinds 

of Iron Work. 

W.H. has the largest and best Stock of IMPLEMFNTS A Mr. 
MACHINES for the Farm. Garden, and Dairy, in the Midlands, 

Special Discount for Cash. Illustrated Lists Free. 

WiLiLxiT^M Howe, 

6, Chester Street, SHREWSBURY. 



STAMP OFFICE, SHIFJ^Ak 

RICHARD LOWE, 

Machine printer, bookseller, ^Stationer, 

BOOKBINDER, 
Patent Medicine Vendor, &c., &c. 

Agent for Horniman's Pure Tea, The Singer Sewing Machines, ^c., &-c. 

The London and Provincial New^spapers, 
Magazines, and Periodicals, 

Regularly supplied to order, and delivered in all parts of the town (daily) immediately 

on their arrival at 10-30 a.m. 

Advertisements Received for all Newspapers, &c. 

Sole Agent in Shifnal and Neighbourhood for 

LIPTON'S TEAS AND COFFEES. 

RICHARD LOWE, Stationer, Market Place, Shifnal. 



W. BOWDLER & CO., 

General Builders and Contractors, 



St. Julian's Friars, 9g^ 

-1^ SHREWSBURY. 



(p_ 


-y<sXKeK5 


9 


Specialite- 


-Ecclesiastical 


Restoration. 




(d 


SN^^tKS/' 


Q) 



W. [§. k Co. Beig to ^tate i^z.^ ^ave 
5acL gpe:at e:xpe:pie:nee in t^s Re^topation o| 
C^^pc^e:?, <^e.) tin3.ep mo^t o| t^e: le:a3.ing 
Hpc^itect^, and wotild e:^pe:ciall^ pe:j^e:p to 
t^e: "Wopk done: B^ t5c:m in t^e: pe^topation oj^ 
t^e: C^iipe^ oj^ St. Bapt^olomew, at Tong, 
Salop, undep Mp. C^pi^tlan. 



General, Furnishing, Builders' and 
Estate Ironmongers, 

42 & 4j, CASTLE STREET, SHREWSBURY. 



Slow Combustion Register and other Grates. 

Ranges — Close and Open Fire. 

Encaustic Tile Work, &c. 



Matthew Harvey & Co., 

SUDDLERY HJIRDWJIRE 
-^ MJlNUFaCTURERS . 

WALBALL. 



JOHN TAYLOR & CO,, 

Bell Foanclep^ ^ Bell Hangep;g, 

LOUGHBOROUGH, '!^i^ 

^•^^ LEICESTERSHIRE. 



-K- ESTABLISHED FOUR CENTURIES. -§4- 



Foimders of the great Uing of Twelve Bells 
of St. Paul's Cathedral ; also the Bourdon Bell^ 
" Great Paul,'" the largest in England, weighing 
37,483/65. ; the heavy Rings in Worcester, Newcastle^ 
and Edinburgh Cathedrals ; the Imperial Institute^ 
and many others. 



A SPECIALTY. 



UNDER DISTINGUISHED PATRONAGE. 




OAKENGATES, SALOP. 



GROUPS, ANIMALS, MACHINERY, &c., 

PHOTOGRAPHED BY APPOINTMENT. 



Pj-|©T®0RAPj*IS may be finished in any of 
the prevailing styles, by the latest processes. 



The New Permanent 



are becoming more fashionable every day ; they 'will not fade^ 

and the Engravi fig- like appearance is unquestionably th^ 

Tnost artistic yet produced. 



At Home" Portraits a Speciality. 



PBIOB LIST MAILED FREE ON RECEIPT OF POST CARD. 



WOLYERHAMPTON. 

— -^n^ — 

The Star & Garter Royal Hotel, 

parriily, (f,omniercial, ar\d Ifostiqq yiouse. 



NIGHT PORTER. -- TELEPHONE. 



cXsX MANAGERESS. 



(LATE JOHN BULLOCK.) 

®" Family Grocer, Provision Dealer, and 
General Ironmonger, 

Hig5 Stpeet, SBifi^^l Salop. 

GARDEN SEEDS OF THE BEST QUALITY. 



Established 1796. 



A. & W. J. MASSEY, 

MECHANICAL AND HYDRAULIC ENGINEERS, 

LOWER BAR FOUNDRY, NEWPORT, SALOP. 




MASSEY'S Improved 

SINGLE-ACTING 

HYDRAULIC 

RAMS 



Per Supplying Water to 

Villages, Mansions, 

Farmsteads, 

&c. 



These Rams can bi' mail, h, w>.i:; .\-UninaticaIly where the supply is limited and 
insufficient to keep them in constant operation. 




MASSEY'S "DOWNTON" WHEEL 

Is specially designed for Low Falls, from six inches, and adapted for Working Pumps 

for the Supply of Water to Towns, Villages, Mansions, and Farmsteads ; also 

for Irrigation. 



Experienced Meu sent to any part of tlae Country to measure Streams, 
take Levels, &c., in view of estimating for tixiu-; either Hydraulic iiams 
and Pipes, or "Downton" Wlieels aud Pumps. 



THE 

"J^ewpopt 4 Mapket Dpa^ton 7^3.vepti^e:p, 

Pabli.ilied on Saturdai/. 

^1^ "gtone: 4 Eeele^Ball i^avepti^ep," 

Puulislied oil Friday Niyht, for Saturday, 



These Papers have an extensive circulation throughout Shropshire, Staffordshire, and 

Cheshire, comprising a rich and prosperous district — Agricultural, Mining, 

and Commercial in its character. 

Advertisements intended for this Paper must be received not later than Friday Morning, 
■>Z - H~ H -H- 

HORNE & BENNION, 

Neivpqrt, Market Drayton^ and Stone. 



HORNE & BENNION, 

Newport and Market Drayton, Shropshire ; 
and Stone, Staffs. 



^-^x^s^ 



ALL DESCRIPTIONS OF 



Pliftll] ^ gObOU!{ED LETTBI{-P^E2S 
-ge- PRINTING. •&§- 



EMPIRE AND 
LIBERTY. 




PEACE WITH 
HONOUR. 



PRIEQl^OgE )l^- LEMUR 

— -^n^ — 
WESTON HABITATION, No. 854. 

— -^n^ — 

Dame President: THE COUNTESS OF i. RADFORD. 



COUNCIL- 



The lady MABEL KENYON-SLANEY. 
Mrs. BRISCOE, Chillington Hall. 
Mrs. GIFFARD, Pendryl Hall. 
Mrs. H. p. SMITH, Tong. 
Mrs. H. TOMLINSON, Wheaton Aston. 
The Rev. ERNEST BRIDGEMAN, 
Blymhill. 



Miss MONCKTON, Brewood Hall. 

Miss HARTLEY, Tong Castle. 

Mrs. VAUGHAN, Lapley. 

Mrs. ward, Rodbaston Hall. 

F. MONCKTON, Esq., Stretton. 

The Rev. A. TALBOT, Church Eaton. 



Mr. GEORGE GRIFFITHS, Weston-under-Lizard, 
Hon. Sec. and Treasurer. 



THE Terms of Subscription to Weston Habitation are — 
1/6 entrance fee and 2/6 annual tribute for each Knight 
or Dame — badge or brooch, 2/ — and Id. annual tribute for each 
Associate — badge, 3d., or brooch, 4d. There is no entrance fee 
for Associates. The Tributes are receivable yearly, between 
January 1st, and April 19th (Primrose Day), the anniversary 
of the late Lord liEAcoNSFiiiLD's death. The badges and 
brooches are intended to be worn on every public occasion. 



The Habitation has aboat i,8oo Members. 



687 



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